“The City That Never Sleeps “, “the Big Apple,” “the
Capital of the World”: you do know what I’m talking about? New York City, the
Empire City, is visited by millions of people each year. Known for its many
attractions, tourists like to be amazed by the Empire State Building, the
Statue of Liberty, Grand Central Station, Central Park, and Times Square.
Now, I’m speaking to you, people who are planning on
visiting the fabulous city at some point: do you want to shop, but not in
stores we already have here in Montreal (or elsewhere)? Do you want to avoid Hard Rock Coffee and
Starbucks? Do you want your wallet to say “thank you”? Do you want to live
these days like a real New Yorker? If you do, read on to learn how to do it with
style.
Three people living or who have been living in New
York City have kindly accepted to help me help you in your journey. Plus,
Esther Bégin, independent journalist and collaborator
of La Presse who lived in New York City for two years, released a new
book last week on the best addresses in the Big Apple entitled “Carnet d’une
flâneuse à New York”. How lucky are you? It’s in French, but, if you’re a true
Montrealer, you can handle it! If not, I’ve got it covered for you.
Shopping
For people who don’t want to pay a fortune in
shopping, SoHo’s the place. “[It] stand for 'South of Houston', [and] as many
say it is the best shopping neighborhood in Manhattan,” JB Norman Verances, a
photographer who lived eight months in the city, said. “If you love shopping and you have confessions just like a shopaholic,
then go to SoHo where you'll meet the world’s unending shopping craze in every
block you walk.”
In Bégin’s book, there’s a whole chapter on
shopping in SoHo. “Fashion victims, shopaholics fond of good deals, [this is
the place],” Bégin wrote.
Another good place to go is at 27th
and Sixth St.: Buffalo Exchange. “If you really want to find some steals [head
over there],” said Amy Nicole, a student, blogger and part-time model who also
works at a PR firm in New York. “There are a lot of really good small places on
the Lower East Side,” Bridget Badore, a third year college student who studies
at the School of Visual Arts, added. “Just walk around 12th St.,
around First and Second Ave. and you'll run into tons of them!”
If you want to give your wallet a break and do a
little window shopping, walk between ninth Ave. and Washington St. along 14th
St.. “Matthew Williamson, Hugo Boss, La Perla… They all settled on 14th
St., even the deceased Alexander McQueen,” Bégin wrote. “The creations are
amazing.”
A little tip if you are more Macy’s than SoHo: Bégin
suggests in her book to go to the Visitors Center, show your ID to prove that
you don’t live in the US and you get 10 per cent discount in the huge store.
Eating
Eating in New York City can be really
expensive if you don’t know the city and walk into restaurants on Times Square.
Your wallet will cry murder.
Let’s get you ready for the day ahead
without hurting your bank account too much with a good breakfast.
“When I lived on the Upper East Side last
year, my favourite place for breakfast was Peter's Gourmet Diner (between 83rd
St. and 84th St. on First Ave.),” Badore said. “It's pretty
affordable and they have so many options! A lot like any other diner, but the
food was just so good. They have a lot of options for vegans, and gluten free
too!”
However, if you’re about to start a strenuous day, head toward 205 East Houston St. (corner of
Ludlow St.): Katz’s Diner is waiting for you. Remember Meg Ryan’s orgasm
simulation in When Harry Met Sally? That’s where it was filmed. “Pastramis can be a breakfast too, right?” Verances asked.
“They got good breakfast selections, even entrees, grilled, and traditional
ones. Maybe I just eat a lot, but I'm sure you'll start your morning rise and
shine with a good-old-bite of a pastrami sandwich and New York egg cream
beverages.” Bégin also recommends this place. “[You’ll] eat the best-pastrami-
sandwich-in-the world,” Bégin wrote.
Another issue has to be fixed for people who can’t
function without caffeine: the best coffee in New York City is apparently
served at Think Coffee. “Greenwich Village, located at 248 Mercer St. between Third
St. and Fourth St,” Verances said. “I assure you that you'll get a good vibes
once you go to Think Coffee. It's like coffee
breathes knowledge. Why go here? As well as grabbing the great coffee with a good
amount of wisdom, it's ecofriendly too! Go Green!” Need more? Nicole’s way to
convince you is with the straightness of her answer, “Think Coffee
definitely.”
If you need to relax a little bit from all the walking,
there’s a little tea room on the Upper East Side called Alice’s Tea Cup (156
East 64th St.). “They have the best pumpkin scone I have ever had!”
Nicole said. According to Bégin, the tea room is decorated with butterfly “on
the walls, on the stairs’ banisters, and even on the teapot covers.”
As for lunch and dinner, these can be even
more expensive, but you can manage by eating at the right places. Bégin’s list
of “must-eat” restaurant and the food writer Ricardo in his magazine’s special
on New York City (volume eight, number five) recommend the Halal Cart on 53rd
St., corner of Sixth Ave. “The Halal Cart had the honor to receive the
Vendy Award, [an award given] every year to the best street food vendors,”
Bégin wrote.
In New York City, you can also have Italy on
your plate. Eataly’s the place, and it’s “the coolest experience you can have
for lunch,” Nicole said. “It is every type
of Italian food you could ever imagine. There is also a restaurant on the roof
that not too many people know about that has a great view.” Bégin also
described Eataly in her book by writing that when you enter the restaurant,
“counters of coffee and gelato spread out before [you].”
Nicole also suggests Buddakan, a Japanese restaurant
situated on Ninth Ave. between 16th St. and 15th St..
Although it is pricey, “the dumplings are to die for!” Nicole added.
Museums
For people who want to visit museums, there is one
word you must keep in mind: MoMA. All three New Yorkers recommended the Museum
of Modern Art (11 West 53rd St.),
and no others. “I know that's a place where everyone goes, but really, I can't
get enough of it,” Badore said. “There's something about standing in front of a
painting like Starry Night and just taking it in. Oh my goodness, it’s
amazing.”
Verances added that you should go there to “get
educated while being amused!”
Nicole agreed with the two others. “MoMA is the best
in my opinion,” she said. “The whole museum takes hours to see because there is
so much beautiful art everywhere. I could spend a whole day there seriously.”
Let’s put the MoMA aside and let’s think about the
history of New York City. Bégin’s suggestion: Museum of the City of New York.
“To celebrate the history of our Big Apple!” she wrote. “It’s creation,
architecture, first inhabitants…”
Parks
If you’ve been to Central Park already, New Yorkers
propose that you visit others. The most interesting itinerary must be the one
Verances proposed with the Brooklyn Bridge Park. “[This] is one that's really
amazing,” Verances said. “Just [walk] back and forth [across the] Brooklyn
Bridge down to [the park] to see the spectacular view of Manhattan by the
water.”
Another park to visit is Washington Square Park
situated in Greenwich Village. “There's just something about it that feels so
lively and there's always something interesting happening,” Nicole said. “It's
really beautiful there too.”
If you are willing to go to Brooklyn, you can visit
the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens situated just beside the Brooklyn Museum. “The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens are an amazing
place to visit,” Badore said. Apparently, you have to visit it during spring.
The trees begin to bud and the colors are just breathtaking.
Last minute tip
“If you're visiting the city, don't stress out!”
Badore said. “Anything that you do will be super fun! Just let the energy of
the city completely overwhelm you and soak in every minute of it.”
Visiting New York City is quite a challenge, but you
can do it. If you do get lost, Bégin assures you that New Yorkers are open to
help you to get your way in the big city.
“Just walking around, getting lost without a map is an
experience of a lifetime you'll ever have in New York City,” Verances said.
So put your best shoes on and get your camera ready,
it's going to be legendary!
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