Lower East Side

Gritty alleys and tenement-style buildings mix with upscale apartments and chic boutiques. Here you'll find a vibrant and diverse neighbourhood - a hub for creativity and innovation.

Bode Tailor Shop

If you have been on your feet all day exploring the city the Bode Tailor Shop is a perfect pit stop. Right in the heart of the Lower East side, next to the Bode store is this little gem. Half tailor shop, half coffee house. You can sit up at the bar and recharge with a coffee and a Jalebi.

Lodi

If you are not following chef and mastermind Ignacio Mattos you probably should be. Lodi is his Italian aperitivo culture inspired bakery and restaurant at the Rockefeller Center. Its Art Deco interiors match those of the surrounding historical buildings. It’s a neighborhood spot you can pop into for drinks or elegant share plates any time of the day. On weekday mornings you can sit at the bar stools and watch the Today Show being filmed, or during the festive season watch the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree light up.

Noguchi Museum

Just a short subway ride out of Manhattan is the Noguchi Museum. A museum and sculpture garden created by the Japanese American sculptor Isamu Noguchi. A rare moment of calm in the city.

Walk through both the indoor and outdoor galleries or sit and listen to wind chimes in the garden.

Corner Bar

Another of Ignacio Mattos restaurants located in a hotel lobby downtown. This is where State of Escape Co-Founder Brigitte and I occasionally start off our work morning with a coffee and soft-boiled eggs, chive salt crushed brioche soldiers. The room is filled with hand painted wooden detailing and sunlight, even on the coldest winter mornings.

Jacquline Sullivan Gallery

This intimate yet curious gallery space feels as though you have walked into Jacqueline Sullivan’s living room - filled with all her favourite artworks and furniture. The gallery sets a thoughtful theme and commissions editions from various contemporary artists. There’s also the occasional panel discussion on weekends. Exhibiting this month is one of my favourite artists Beatrice Bonino ‘If I did, I did, I die’. A must see.

Chelsea Flea

It wouldn’t be a tour of the city without stopping at the Chelsea Flea Market. Open from 8am-4pm almost every weekend of the year. With new vendors each week you never know what you might find. Very reasonably priced antique ceramics, silver, furniture, clothing, books, records, and other knick-knacks.

Cervos

The dark wooden interiors of this small costal Spanish & Portuguese inspired restaurant make it feel as though you are dining inside the cabin of a luxurious boat. Getting a table can be difficult but is well worth it once you have a 50/50 Martini and crispy shrimp heads in front of you. These share plates are not only delicious but very seasonal, so there is always something new to try on the menu. This is where Mikiko, Brigitte and I enjoyed dinner with SOE collaborator Nigel Scott when he was in town.

Desert Vintage

Where the interiors are just as mesmerizing as the archive of eclectic vintage clothing. A rare little oasis where you could spend hours admiring the craftmanship of each garment. Find a perfect outfit for the opera, or your dream pair of Levis.