What to eat, see and do in New York
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WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
Every New Yorker has a favourite pizza spot. Make yours Rosario’s on the Lower East Side and order a slice, not the whole thing. Then walk to Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery for the legendary banana pudding before a drink at the best dive bar in the world, Max Fish. Look past the Styrofoam plates and fluorescent lighting at Spicy Village in Chinatown, as it has some of the best food in the city. For something a little more upmarket try King on King Street or Atomix, where the 10-course tasting menu is something else.
Lastly, head to Via Carota on Grove Street for old-school Italian dinners at the communal table.
WHERE TO SHOP
Vfiles on Mercer Street (Rihanna’s favourite, FYI) is as fashion forward as it gets. Across the street, Stadium Goods is like an art gallery for rare trainers. Get grown-up skatewear at Noah on Mulberry Street and choose from an unbelievable selection of band T-shirts at Ted’s Formal Wear. The best kept secret in the city is Dave’s New York on 6th Avenue. Here brands like Carhartt and Wrangler are sold so cheaply, you’ll be checking the labels for typos.
WHERE TO STAY
New York is known as the city that never sleeps, but if you must rest your head, summon the spirit of Studio 54 at hotel PUBLIC (rooms from £149; publichotels.com). Those looking to get immersed in old New York (and who fancy staying where David Bowie and Diana Ross once did) should book the Sherry-Netherland (rooms from £457; sherrynetherland.com) for its classic art deco styling.
Fresh flowers delivered daily are a wonderful, personal touch.
WHAT TO DO
Take some time out to visit Mess: Expressionism and Experimentation in Contemporary Ceramic at The Future Perfect on Great Jones Street, a playful ceramics exhibition on until early next year. Get some custom jewellery made at Nucastle Jewelers on Fulton Street in Brooklyn — they’ll do everything from a Carrie Bradshaw-style name plate to gold teeth. If you’re planning a pre-Christmas visit, don’t miss the Rockefeller Center tree. It may be cheesy, but it’s a classic.
Virgin Atlantic flies up to six times daily from London Heathrow to New York City, return fares from £280 (virginatlantic.com)
