By Randi Gollin, ZAGAT.com staff editor
Spring for that trendy bag, then treat yourself to drinks, dinner, even an overnight stay at these neighborhood spots.
Whether you're a Manhattan native or just visiting, chances are you're too time-pressed to explore all the newest shops, restaurants, bars and hotels NYC has to offer. But one efficient way to get a taste of the latest is to zero in on one happening neighborhood at a time.
What's hot now? Head Downtown and you'll find loads of au courant destinations in the Bleecker Street vicinity. In Midtown, a trove of notable newcomers is clustered along and close to the 57th Street corridor.
Following are two day-into-night itineraries that will guide you to highlights in each area. To keep you ahead of the curve, we've included soon-to-open places to add to your future check-it-out list.
Village Jaunt: Bleecker Street & Vicinity
While Bleecker Street boutiques like Cynthia Rowley, Intermix, Lulu Guinness, Marc by Marc Jacobs and Ralph Lauren may seem like elder statesmen by now, this retail stretch is still going through a boom time. After you shop, cool your heels at one of the chic little bistros and wine bars springing up in the neighborhood before calling it a night – or just beginning it – at a trendy hotel in the nearby Meatpacking District.
Map of Bleecker Street and Vicinity
View:
- Shops
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Hotels
Shops
James Perse
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Brunello Cucinelli
379 Bleecker St. (bet. Charles & Perry Sts.), 212-627-9288;
www.brunellocucinelli.it
The prices may get your goat, but for those who worship at the altar of cashmere, it doesn't get much luxer than this Italian designer's new shop stocked with plush sweaters and sportswear for men and women.
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James Perse
411 Bleecker St. (W. 11th St.), 212-620-9991;
www.jamesperse.com
Fans of this LA T-shirt titan's comfy cotton and cashmere men's and women's casualwear can now skip from this bright white and blonde wood boutique to the eponymous designer's new shop for guys, at 361 Bleecker St. (bet. Charles & Perry Sts.), 212-255-5801.
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Juicy Couture
368 Bleecker St. (Charles St.) no phone yet (slated to open in December/January);
www.juicycouture.com
J.C.'s new pink-powered Flatiron and Madison Avenue ventures may look like mere peasants next to this princely 3,400-sq.-ft. flagship, arriving late 2006/early 2007. Expect kicky, crown logo–emblazoned apparel and accessories for the family and Fido, plus home furnishings, from the designers who made colorful tracksuits de rigueur for celebs and mere mortals.
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Mick Margo
19 Commerce St. (bet. Bedford St. & 7th Ave. S.), 212-463-0515;
www.mickmargo.com
Not far from Bleecker lies this cozy nook offering a handpicked selection of urban-chic labels like Clu, Wyeth by Todd McGill and Maria Bonita Extra.
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Miguelina
347 Bleecker St. (W. 10th St.), no phone yet (slated to open this February);
www.miguelina.com
On the heels of other labels-gone-retail comes this soon-to-open femme favorite. The flirty dresses and tops bedecked with lace, ribbons or embroidery are purr-fect for romantics and sex kittens alike.
SEE Eyewear
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Mulberry
387 Bleecker St. (Perry St.), no phone yet (slated to open this fall);
www.mulberry.com
After scoping out Marc Jacobs Accessories next door, check out yet another big kahuna of luxury handbags. Due to arrive this fall, this British label traffics in finely crafted, iconic bags, bespoke creations and classic-with-a-twist womenswear and menswear.
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Reiss
309-313 Bleecker St. (bet. Grove St. & 7th Ave. S.), 212-488-2413;
www.reiss.co.uk
The British stylesetter expands its Manhattan reach with this sprawling, 4,500-sq.-ft. store filled with sophisticated clothing for men and women at relatively affordable prices.
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Ruehl
370 Bleecker St. (bet. Charles & Perry Sts.), 212-924-8506;
www.ruehl.com
Accessories definitely do rule at this yearling, an Abercrombie & Fitch spin-off for leather lovers stocked with vintage-inspired handbags, men's bags, belts and gloves imported from Italy.
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Satya
330 Bleecker St. (Christopher St.), 212-243-7313;
www.satyajewelry.com
Say om to the Buddha in the window, then meditate on the beauty of affordable gold pendants bearing spiritual symbols and jewelry made with healing gemstones.
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SEE Eyewear
312 Bleecker St. (7th Ave. S.), 212-989-7060;
www.seeeyewear.com
This optical option has its sights set on fashionistas, offering accessible displays and edgy European styles for not a lotta lire.
Restaurants
Little Owl
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Tuck into steak frites and other bistro staples at this Odeon offspring.
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Centro Vinoteca
74 Seventh Ave. S. (Commerce St.), no phone yet (slated to open in November)
www.brunellocucinelli.it
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Molto modern Italian from Gusto owner Sasha Muniak.
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29 Bedford St. (Downing St.), 212-633-0202;
www.ditch-plains.com
Montauk comes to the Village at this all-day clam shack.
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90 Bedford St. (Grove St.), 212-741-4695;
www.littleowlnyc.com
Swoop into this bird-size newcomer for Med–New American dinnertime fare.
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Morandi
15 Charles St. (bet. Greenwich St. & Waverly Pl.), no phone yet (slated to open in December)
Balthazar owner Keith McNally moves from bistroland to cucina turf.
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The Waverly Inn and Garden
16 Bank St. (Waverly Pl.), no phone yet (slated to open in November)
Ye olde faithful tavern is being reborn under the stewardship of Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter and partners Sean MacPherson and Eric Goode.
Bars
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Blue Ribbon Bar
34 Downing St. (Bedford St.), no phone yet (slated to open in December);
www.blueribbonrestaurants.com
For a spot of vino and a nibble, nab a stool at the Bromberg brothers' super-small bar.
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73 Eighth Ave. (bet. 13th & 14th Sts.), 212-463-0022
Done up in leather, Brazilian walnut and animal skin, this posh equestrian-themed baronial club offers a chance to dance with the well-heeled horsey set.
Hotels
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18 Ninth Ave. (bet. Little W. 12th & 13th Sts.), 212-206-6700, Toll Free: 877-426-7386;
www.hotelgansevoort.com
Sleep with the hotties at this ultramodern Meatpacking hotel located just a short hike from the Village.
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The Standard
848 Washington St. (W. 13th St.), no phone yet (slated to open in 2007);
www.standardhotel.com
Sleek, cheap rooms and a rooftop pool – that's hotelier Andre Balazs' game plan for this Meatpacking District hotel, about a 10-minute walk from Bleecker Street.
Midtown Meander: 57th Street Corridor
Steal away from the Bergdorf-Bendels-Barneys circuit, and give Burberry, Chanel and YSL a rest too, as you discover some of the latest (and soon-to-come) entrants to swanky town. Even the neighborhood's venerable hotels and restaurants are taking a page from their patrons and having some work done.
Map of 57th Street Corridor and Vicinity
View:
- Shops
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Hotels
Shops
Heavy metal details rule at Anne Klein
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A. Testoni
The Sherry-Netherland, 781 Fifth Ave. (59th St.), no phone yet (slated to open in November);
www.testoni.com
Bust open the piggybank before heading to this luxe Italian footwear phenomenon's posh digs, soon to open in the Sherry-Netherland.
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Anne Klein
655 Madison Ave. (60th St.), 212-317-2731;
www.anneklein.com
The legendary apparel label makes a comeback with this sophisticated, 2,500-sq.-ft. glass, marble and metal accessories haven laden with handbags, shoes, sunglasses and belts.
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Apple
General Motors Building, 767 Fifth Ave. (bet. 58th & 59th Sts.), 212-336-1440;
www.apple.com
Look for the 32-ft. glass cube at the plaza entrance, then wend your way down the spiral staircase to this sprawling subterranean techie wonderland to find the latest Macs and iPods.
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Franck Muller
38 E. 57th St. (bet. Madison & Park Aves.), no phone yet (slated to open in November);
www.franckmuller.com
Timing is everything at this world-famous watchmaker's new multifloor flagship offering the ultimate Swiss mix of retro-modern timepieces at stratospheric prices.
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Guy Laroche
47 W. 57th St. (bet. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-935-4747;
www.guylaroche.com
Get your haute couture on at this class act that also purveys less-exalted, but still très Parisian apparel for madame and monsieur.
Nokia
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Honora
30 E. 57th St. (Madison Ave.), 212-792-6140;
www.honora.com
Get stranded at this renowned purveyor's first retail venture, stocked with freshwater and cultured pearl jewelry from Southeast Asia. If stringing is your thing, there's even an area where you can make your own.
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Mulberry
605 Madison Ave. (58th St.), no phone yet (slated to open this fall);
www.mulberry.com
First Bleecker Street, then Madison – that's the NYC game plan for this British luxury handbag honcho.
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Nokia
5 E. 57th St. (bet. Madison & Fifth Aves.), 212-758-1980;
www.nokia.com
The techie titan brings sexy back to cell phones, multimedia computers, music devices and other gizmos at this state-of-the-art flagship.
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Porsche Design
Sporty eyewear, über-cool sneakers, handsome luggage, winning watches – you'll find carloads of cool guy stuff here.
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Suite New York
625 Madison Ave. (58th St.), 212-421-3300;
www.suiteny.com
Add that certain je ne sais quoi to your pad with modern furniture finds from left-of-center Euro designers at this newcomer.
Restaurants
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon at Four Seasons Hotel New York
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Gordon Ramsay at The London NYC
151 W. 54th St. (bet. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-468-8889 (slated to open November 16th);
www.thelondonnyc.com
After dining at the British celeb chef's soon-to-debut Modern European destination (reservations now being taken), you can sleep it off in a smart flat or suite at the chic hotel it's housed in, The London NYC.
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Score a counter seat by the open kitchen of this celebrity chef's sleek New French destination and watch the action unfold.
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Russian Tea Room
150 W. 57th St. (bet. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-581-7100 (slated to open November 3rd)
Yes, it's tea time again at this over-the-top chestnut, formerly owned by Warner LeRoy and now reopening with ex–Biltmore Room chef Gary Robins at the reins.
Bars
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27 E. 61st St. (Madison Ave.), 212-752-8900
Tricked out in crimson with sexy banquettes, this chic lounge is made for canoodling.
Hotels
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136 W. 55th St. (bet. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-245-1800, Toll Free: 800-735-0710;
www.blakelynewyork.com
Who says boutique hotels have to be way-modern? Bringing a dash of dapper London style to Midtown, this sleeper aims to redefine the category.
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160 Central Park S. (7th Ave.), 212-247-0300, Toll Free: 888-645-5697;
www.jumeirahessexhouse.com
Old-school luxury defines this hotel, complete with jaw-dropping views of Central Park and fine dining at Alain Ducasse (until January 15, 2007, that is, when the restaurant closes. It will relocate to the St. Regis this spring).
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The London NYC
151 W. 54th St. (bet. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-468-8888, Toll Free: 866-690-2029;
www.thelondonnyc.com
After dining at Gordon Ramsay's soon-to-debut Modern European destination (reservations now being taken), you can sleep it off in a smart flat or suite at the chic hotel it's housed in (fka the Rihga Royal).
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781 Fifth Ave. (59th St.), 212-355-2800, Toll Free: 212-319-4306;
www.sherrynetherland.com
Embrace a gentler, more graceful era at this elegant mainstay facing Central Park. Early next year you can also toast the return of the newly renovated Harry Cipriani, set to reopen in February/March.
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2 E. 55th St. (5th Ave.), 212-753-4500, Toll Free: 212-753-4500;
www.stregis.com
Foodies will have even more reason to bed down at this living legend come spring when Alain Ducasse takes over the radically redesigned former Lespinasse restaurant space.