Kitty Garner
Kitty is a contemporary art aficionado. She discovered this love of art while living in New York City, where she soaked up art galleries, museums and theater. Though Charlotte is now her home, Kitty still nurtures her attachment to the New York scene.
Eat: Restaurants + Bars in NYC
La Grenouille
A holiday lunch here is de rigueur. The insanely gorgeous flowers, the plush red velvet banquettes, the dapper table captain, and of course, the scrumptious cheese soufflé all make me swoon. Despite the fact that I love trying new boîtes, I am utterly enchanted by La Grenouille and have lunch here almost every time I am in the city. The room is an exquisite jewel box and the service, flawless.
3 E 52nd Street
212.752.1495
NoMad
This restaurant off the lobby of the chic NoMad hotel in the Flatiron district offers a panoply of opulent spaces in which to dine, and the gastronomic offerings are the real deal, as one would expect from the kitchen of Eleven Madison Park alum Daniel Humm. I adore brunch in the Parlour, but a nightcap in the Library is really swell too.
1170 Broadway (between 27th Street & 28th Street)
212.796.1500
Stay: New York City Hotels
Crosby Street Hotel
British designer Kit Kemp’s wonderfully whimsical, chic and quite comfy SoHo hotel is so very swell. I love the
ubiquitous doggie photos and paintings and I am utterly transfixed by the huge Jaume Plensa in the lobby. The bar has
the perfect buzz, and the cozy lounge on the opposite end of the hotel is one of the most charming chill spots in the city.
79 Crosby Street
212.226.6400
The Carlyle
Serene, urbane, divine…the Carlyle is the epitome of old New York, a retro haven which exudes insouciant elegance and subtle glamour. If only Bobby Short was still crooning at Cafe Carlyle.
35 E 76th Street
212.744.1600
The Marlton
Sean MacPherson developed the Bowery, the Jane and the Maritime hotels and collaborated with Graydon Carter on the clubby West Village boîte, The Waverly Inn. The Marlton sits on West 8th Street in the heart of the Village and it has the feel of a Parisian hôtel de charme. MacPherson described his inspiration, “As I was thinking about this project, I kept going back to ‘Tender Is the Night,’ and the sort of hotel on a Parisian side street where Rosemary Hoyt and her mother might have stayed.” Sign me up!
5 W 8th Street
212.321.0100
Shop: Local Gifts + Specialty Shops
Opening Ceremony
This Howard Street clothing store just seems to get better and better. I love the high and low foil—you can score a pair of trainers, a Rodarte dress, and a kitschy key chain all in the same spot.
35 Howard Street
212.219.2688
Fivestory
This curated boutique on the Upper East Side is a nice alternative to Barneys, and the sartorially minded are flocking to this mecca for the well-heeled.
18 E. 69th Street, 3rd floor
212.288.1338
Mish
For uber chic jewelry—the Bond Street salon will take your breath away. By appointment.
30 Bond Street
Anya Hindmarch (Bespoke)
The second level of this Madison Avenue shop has the most charming bespoke workshop—like something from the pages of a Dickens novel. This is the place to find one-off personalized leather goods made with a cheeky sensibility and finest craftsmanship. Santa will be shopping here, no doubt.
795 Madison Avenue
646.852.6233
Bergdorf Goodman
For a bit of holiday sparkle, take the elevator to the heavenly seventh floor of Bergdorf’s and simply wander about in ethereal holiday bliss among the tree trimmings, crystal, silver, candles, chocolates, books, games, linens and objet d’art, as carols jingle in the background. It is a sensory delight anytime of year, but the seventh floor is truly a wonderland at Christmastime. After you’ve floated around the floor for a while, pop into the BG Cafe for a cappuccino or bit of bubbly.
754 5th Avenue
Aedes de Venustas
Waft about in this ethereal fragrance shop in the West Village and find a perfume which perfectly defines you.
9 Christopher Street
212.206.8674
Ochre
This exquisite British interiors shop in SoHo sells wares and furniture that are incredibly well-crafted and designed.
462 Broome Street
Ladurée
My daughters adore the macaroons from this Parisian gem.
864 Madison Avenue
646.558.3157
Play: Things to Do in NYC
Tenoverten Nail Salon
Go for a Mani/Pedi and purchase a few of their signature polishes as stocking stuffers.
112 Reade Street
See a play—The Winslow Boy, The Jacksonian, and Betrayal are all on my list.
McNally Jackson Books
Spend hours perusing with an in-house Stumptown coffee to keep you going.
52 Prince Street
The Morgan Library
Hop over to the Morgan Library and view the original handwritten manuscript of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. His quill scrawl on yellowed parchment is legible enough, and it is such fun to see his handwritten edits. It feels as if the Ghost of Christmas Past is lingering in John Pierpont Morgan’s Murray Hill manse.
225 Madison Avenue
212.685.0008
Ruzwana Bashir
Ruzwana is co-founder and CEO of Peek.com, a travel company that offers insider tips on the best things to do, places to see and restaurants to visit. She is a self-proclaimed travel junkie.
Lower West Side (Greenwich Village and Tribeca)
Eat: Restaurants + Bars in NYC
EN Japanese Brasserie
Incredible private dining rooms and amazing service. My Japanese friends insist that it’s the best Japanese food outside of Japan.
435 Hudson Street
The Little Owl
This neighborhood bistro on the corner of Bedford and Grove Streets always delivers on comfort food. I love the kale ribollita with chicken broth and white beans.
90 Bedford Street
Stay: New York City Hotels
Crosby Street Hotel
This hotel has an incredible afternoon tea. It’s the sister hotel of the Soho House in London so it provides a little English haven in the middle of Manhattan. Each room is individually designed so each stay offers unique surroundings.
79 Crosby Street
Shop: Local Gifts + Specialty Shops
Intermix
365 Bleecker Street
Alexis Bittar
353 Bleecker Street
Brunello Cucinelli
379 Bleecker Street
Magnolia Bakery
While you’re in the neighborhood, grab a red velvet cupcake for a mid-shopping pick-me-up.
401 Bleecker Street
Play: Things to Do in NYC
Cheese Classes at Murray’s Cheese Shop
This shop is a West Village institution and food-lovers flock to its doors to experience all things gourmet cheese. Their tasting class guides you through the different cheese families and shows you how to pair them with other foods. They’ll also teach you how to whip up your own mozzarella!
254 Bleecker Street
Picnic on the High Line
When the weather’s right, I love to eat al fresco. This workshop teaches you how to prepare the ultimate picnic for lunch on the High Line, where you can enjoy epic views of the NYC skyline.
Jazz Club Tour
Some of the greatest jazz destinations are in the Village. This tour shepherds you to only the coolest concert venues, which change weekly.
