I was in New York at the end of last month for three quick but fun-filled days. I was able to accomplish everything on my NYC list which had been building up for several months. I had the best time with my girlfriends – we stayed downtown at the Marlton (checking out their new restaurant was on my list) but ventured all over town shopping, eating, cocktailing, and sightseeing.
I already have another list going so hoping someone will join me on another trip in January or February – I’d love to check out The Winter Show again next year.
Here’s everything I did with my friends in those three days – my heart is full and my list is checked off (for now)!
Save this for your next trip to NY.
STAY: THE MARLTON HOTEL
*Location: West 8th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenue
*Things to Know: The Marlton is not for everyone. The rooms are teeny tiny (125 square feet!) and you have to be a fan of downtown – the vibe is cool, dark, moody. (Jessica Lange strolled in late night while we were having drinks and no one batted an eye). There are few frills – no concierge, no room service, no coffee in the room (but full service downstairs), however, there is a great mini bar in the room and the rooms are clean and nicely decorated. There is a basic hair salon a block down the street where i had my hair blown out after I landed (because, New York).
*Things I love about it: the bar, the new restaurant, Chez Nous (also the location of the lovely breakfast that is included with your stay), the coffee station in the mornings, and having my own room, albeit super small, walking to the great boutiques in the neighborhood. I wouldn’t want to stay here on every trip (and my husband would hate it) but it is perfect for the right group.
SPA – The New Dior Spa
Located in the flagship store on East 57th, the new Dior spa is a-mazing. I treated myself to a facial and it was worth every penny (and yes it was a lot of pennies but they treat you like a queen). Definitely recommend doing this for yourself and a friend on your next girls’ trip.
SHOP – There are lots of great shops within walking distance of the hotel.
*Loeffler Randall
*New La Ligne store
*Anine Bing
*Goods for the Study – cutest stationary shop basically across the street from the Marlton
We went shopping uptown on Madison Avenue as well:
*Ann Mashburn – I just love her shop. I actually have a hard time finding things on her website but her shop is so great. Perfectly “curated”, as they say.
*Ulla Johnson – beautiful brand new store
*Nili Lotan
*ME & EM – I love this brand.
Bergdorf’s, of course, although my favorite floor has really taken a turn for the worse. It is covered in tacky Christmas decorations – so disappointing.
highly recommend this great article about the history and design details of the store.
We ventured down to the new French luxury store, Printemps, which opened in March and is located in the financial district at One Wall Street.
I spent so much time focusing on the interiors and the restaurant concepts that I didn’t have much time to actually shop. I will say they have some kinks to work out in that regard. While trying on shoes it took forever for the saleslady to bring sizes (not her fault – apparently the store room is all the way on the other side of the building and several times she came back to say they didn’t have the size I needed.) That part was frustrating and they also didn’t have much inventory. One of the salespeople said the intent is for the store to feel more like an art gallery than a department store. So very French.
Regardless, I loved seeing it all – the design is just incredible. Every room is cooler than the next and there’s a great history behind the building. For serious shoe shopping however, I would say stick to Bergdorf’s. I did end up purchasing these Isabel Marant boots and love them.
There are a lot more pictures and details on my Instagram.
SHOWS
*Oh Mary – so funny, not for the easily offended
*Just in Time: The Bobby Darin story – loved loved loved. Singing, big band, dancing, costumes! This is what I came for.
“JUST IN TIME is an “utterly electrifying” (Entertainment Weekly) new musical that immerses audiences into an intimate nightclub “so seductive in ambiance that you find yourself not wanting to go back outside” (Chicago Tribune). Complete with iconic Bobby Darin hits including “Beyond the Sea,” “Mack the Knife,” “Splish Splash,” and “Dream Lover” Just In Time is “a helluva good time at the theater” (Time Out).”
Reviews for Just In Time
DRINKS & DINNER
Finding a restaurant in the theatre district is always a challenge for me. I’ve been to Orso, Joe Allen, The Lambs Club – they’re all fine. I had never tried Cafe un Deux Trois before so wanted to check it out on this trip…it was, eh. Felt like a cafeteria.
However, I did find this little hotel called Iroquois (49 W 44th Street) with a quiet, chic, small bar in the back and will be going there before shows from here on out. It is a great spot, very close to the theatres, and although I didn’t order any food, the menu looked perfect for a pre-theatre bite.
Before our show the next night, we went to the newly renovated and re-opened Waldorf Hotel. It was too packed to get drinks in the main bar but we went downstairs to the restaurant called Lex Yard which was great.
My favorite meal was our lunch on Friday at Cafe Commerce on the Upper East Side. I will definitely go back here – the food, service, atmosphere was 10/10.
SAW: The incredible Frick Collection on the Upper East Side recently re-opened after a five year, $220 million renovation and expansion. We went to see it Friday morning (be sure to buy the timed tickets) at 11 AM. We shopped beforehand and afterwards and had lunch which was a perfect way to spend the day. Be sure to bring your earpods and download the Bloomberg Connects app. They also have a new cafe but be prepared to wait if you want to visit.
After our visit my friend encouraged me to continue watching Seasons Two and Three of The Gilded Age, even though I found Season One to be pretty boring. Apparently the next two seasons are great. She also suggested Anderson Cooper’s book about the history of the Vanderbilts; I started listening to the audiobook and it is excellent.
“The collection originated with Henry Clay Frick (1849–1919), who bequeathed his home, paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts to the public for their enjoyment. The institution’s holdings—which encompass masterworks from the Renaissance through the nineteenth century—have grown over the decades, more than doubling in size since the opening of the museum in 1935. A critical component of the institution is the Frick Art Research Library, founded in 1920 by Helen Clay Frick, daughter of the museum’s founder. Recognized as one of the world’s top art history research centers, it has served students, scholars, and members of the public free of charge for generations.”
“For Mr. Kanevsky, the Frick commission was both a homage “to my beloved museum,” as he said by phone from his home in Fort Lee, N.J., and a nod to the fresh flowers used by Helen Clay Frick, a daughter of the museum’s founder, to lighten the somber mood of the building when it opened to the public in 1935.
–New York Times
A selection of modestly scaled replicas of Mr. Kanevsky’s new works for the Frick were produced to sell at the museum’s gift shop: All 28 had sold by opening day. Priced from $3,000 to $15,000, they were a far cry from usual tote bag souvenirs.”
