Forever known as a trendsetter haven for the world's most fashionable, New York isn't just about style. When it comes to fine hotels, delicious restaurants, and unparalleled culture, the Big Apple is the place to be.
Whether you're conducting a lunch meeting, in town for fashion week, reuniting with an industry counterpart for a cocktail, or dancing the night away, New York is forever defined as the city showcasing the greatest, newest, coolest, underground, “I’m-not-sleeping-tonight” vibes and everyone wants a little slice while they are in town.
Here is a list of New York's most fashionable spots, in addition to the latest openings where influencers are flocking to discover and be discovered.
Where to Eat and Drink
L’Avenue
If you have ever shopped on Avenue Montaigne during Paris Fashion week, surely you have seen paparazzi flocking the signature see and be seen corner restaurant designed specifically for sipping rose, nibbling on pommes frites, and people watching. Well, thanks to Saks Fifth Avenue’s grand renovation, L’Avenue has opened its first outpost on the 9th floor inclusive of a Chalet bar and Pierre Herme Macaroon bar, all designed by the one and only Philippe Starck. The menu matches that of its Parisian counterpart featuring tom yum Chilean sea bass and spicy Thai beef tenderloin.
Wayan
Balinese for “first born,” famed executive chef Cedric Vongerichten—son of the famed Jean-George Vongerichten—of the renowned Perry Street restaurant has opened his first venture in Nolita alongside wife Ochi and partner Ezra William. The cozy, French-Indonesian restaurant features a tropical east meets west vibe and dishes plates with the perfect combination of texture, spice, and bold flavors. Make sure to try the Avocado Gado Gado, Crispy Baby Squid, and Steamed Black Sea Bass Pepes.
Frenchette
Riad Nasr and Lee Hanson, plucked by Keith McNally in 1997 to open Balthazar, followed by Pastis and Minetta Tavern, launched their own venture, Frenchette, last April. There is this cool, refreshing vibe when you walk in, almost like a journey back in nostalgic Art Deco luxury. Its one of those places where reservations often feel impossible, but there are a few tables around the bar and worth the eagle eye snag. But, nonetheless, if you do make it in, sip on La Chavela, snack on a few blowfish tails, and indulge in the roast chicken for two.
Indochine
Without fail, if there is one restaurant that embodies the fashion industry, its Indochine. Since 1984, remarkably the French-Vietnamese restaurant has been a consistent hit due widely to its original glitterati patrons, such as Warhol and David Bowie, and the desire to continue that cool New York spirit today. Indochine has also mastered the art of serving dishes that never waiver in flavor so you know exactly what you are going to get each time, all while being surrounded by its iconic banana leaf plastered wallpaper and checkerboard floors. Recommendations include Crispy Shrimp, Spicy Beef Salad, Grilled Eggplant, Amok Cambodgien, and the Coconut Crème Brulee.
Primo's
Deep in Tribeca, located in the lobby of the Frederick Hotel, lies Primo's. A sexy, yet quaint, Martini bar with midnight Italian bites to fill the void of New York’s lacking cool-kid late night retreats. Weekends are packed but a simple Japanese whiskey neat on a weekday evening is what really allows you to appreciate Primo’s retro haven.
Where to Stay
The Bowery Hotel
The cozy hotel serves as an outpost for most of Hollywood’s A class actors and directors. You will see anyone from Mike Myers to Steven Spielberg hovering in a corner. The fashion scene slightly differs as you feel you have been transported to LA, but the hotel lounge scene is THE spot to actually lounge and people watch.
The Mercer
If you are part of the downtown fashion scene, this is your spot. It was Karl Lagerfeld’s choice of residency every time he visited New York. The hotel is known for going above and beyond to satisfy their clientele. But the real scene is the lobby of the Mercer, only accessible by guests of the hotel (unless you know the right people) and often where you will find most of the fashionable guests dining.
The Mark Hotel
If it’s good enough for Anna Wintour during the Met Gala, surely it’s good enough for you. Perhaps The Mercer’s uptown counterpart, The Mark caters to more of a sophisticated and business centered fashion crowd. Majority of patrons seemed to have just walked in from a Madison Avenue shopping spree and the hotel even boasts personal trolleys for Bergdorf Goodman trips.
Buzzworthy Bonus: The Equinox Hotel
While the first-ever Equinox gym-meets-hotel hasn’t officially opened, New York fashion week feted the upcoming June opening in Hudson Yards with a party hosted by Naomi Campbell, its managing partner Harvey Spevak, and Equinox Hotels CEO Chris Norton. The Equinox Hotel plans to redefine the luxury hospitality experience with fitness as a lifestyle included in your stay with specialized programs and restaurants.
Where to Find Culture
Andy Warhol–From A to B and Back Again
The Whitney Musuem of American Art is currently exhibiting an extensive Andy Warhol retrospective from his beginning Madison Avenue illustrations to the infamous colossal Mao portrait to his collaborations with new generation artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat. The secret is if you don’t have time to check out the entire exhibition, there is a free entrance to Warhol’s celebrity silkscreen “Portrait of Society” room on the main floor, which alone is worth the trip. The exhibition continues through March 31st.
10 Corso Como
The renowned Milan-based luxury concept store founded in 1991 where fashion, food, and art synonymously meld, opened last fall into a 28,000-square-foot New York space in the former Fulton Fish Market Building. Created by fashion editor and gallerist Carla Sozzani, sister of iconic ex-Editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia Franca Sozzani, the expansive space, designed by artist Kris Ruhs is a treat for the senses with covetable designer exclusive must-haves, constant revolving A-class art exhibitions, and even its own custom designed restaurant transporting you to under the sea.
Implicit Tensions: Mapplethorpe Now and Hilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future
The Guggenheim Museum is currently displaying two magnificent exhibitions. The first is Robert Mapplethorpe’s controversial photography of celebrities, sensualized flora and S&M, taken at the height of the New York underground scene in the mid-80s. The year-long exhibition program will be conceived in two sequential parts changing on July 10th.
The second exhibition is the obscure, bold, and symbolic works of Swedish artist Hilma af Klint painted during the early 1900’s. She requested that no one see her work until 20 years after she past as she didn’t feel the world would understand the spiritual and scientific methodologies behind each piece. The exhibition closes on April 23rd and if you have a little extra time, make sure to check out the permanent sculpture collection of Brancusi just down the hall.
