By Randi Gollin, ZAGAT.com staff editor
Save a bundle on basics, splurge on something naughty then celebrate your shopping smarts at SoHo's newest wine bars, bistros and hot-ticket hangouts.
Forget that old "shop till you drop" mantra. Whether you're a born-and-bred New Yorker or an intrepid out-of-towner, most likely you don't have the time or energy for a citywide browse-a-thon. One way to get a bead on what's happening: focus on one neighborhood at a clip. Shop and bop till you're hungry and thirsty then shop some more!
The go-to zone right now? That old shopping chestnut: SoHo. So slip into something comfortable, wave hello to old friends like Barneys CO-OP and Kirna Zabête then explore the latest crop of hot shops. Whether you blanket the area or stick to one pocket you're bound to unearth a fresh favorite.
After indulging in that I-deserve-this purchase, kick back at one of the latest entrants to the restaurant/bar scene – some set squarely in SoHo, others steps away on the edge of Little Italy and NoLita (close to still-sizzling La Esquina) – or carry on till morning at an ultracool hotel in SoHo or nearby TriBeCa.
Here then a day-into-night (or day-into-next-day) itinerary to guide you to some of SoHo's most notable newcomers. (Note: We've also included a few soon-to-open places to file away for future reference.)
Map of SoHo
View:
- Shops
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Hotels
Shops
Alessi
(photo courtesy of Alessi)
A
Alessi
130 Greene St. (bet. Houston & Prince Sts.), 212-941-7300;
www.alessi.com
Get a buzz on at Joe, the in-store coffee bar, then get your fix of distinctive home design objets like Michael Graves' iconic teapot and Hani Rashid's stainless-steel desk organizer, all housed in this Italian manufacturer's futuristic digs.
B
Ben Sherman
Forget the Swinging '60s – fans of this madcap mod Brit brand just may swing from this sprawling shop's crystal chandelier once they get a load of the slim-cut shirts, blazers and other London-cool wardrobe essentials.
C
Evisu
Coming Soon
92 Greene St. (Spring St.), no phone yet (slated to open this spring);
www.evisu.com
Dresses may be tops on many a fashionista's spring hot list, but there's always room in the wardrobe for great-fitting jeans, especially from this Japanese trendsetter.
IC Zinco
(photo courtesy of IC Zinco)
D
IC Zinco
85 Mercer St. (bet. Broome & Spring Sts.), 212-680-1414;
www.zincozone.com
If you consider Mongolian cashmere as essential as fruit and veggies, you'll feel right at home weighing your sweater purchase on a digital scale and paying by the pound at this Italian import.
E
Kiki De Montparnasse
79 Greene St. (bet. Broome & Spring Sts.), 212-965-8150;
www.kikidm.com
Frisky fillies pony up big bucks for barely there unmentionables, suitable-for-framing sex toys and other erotic bibelots at this den of desire.
Luceplan
(photo courtesy of Luceplan)
F
Luceplan
49 Greene St. (Broome St.), 212-966-1399;
www.luceplanusa.com
No passport required to view the latest in Italian lighting – just pass through the portals of this Milanese company's showcase and ponder the colorful, sculptural fixtures displayed in oversized boxes.
G
Nave
159 Mercer St. (bet Houston & Prince Sts.), 212-274-1255;
www.naveny.com
This Japanese-based line of plucky feminine finds gives fashion adventurers reason enough to take a break from nearby boldfacers Marni and Marc Jacobs.
Tarina Tarantino
(photo courtesy of Tarina Tarantino)
H
Tarina Tarantino
Girlie-girls and novelty-seekers reach seventh heaven at this California-based jewelry designer's cotton-candy–colored haven boasting Barbie pendants, Swarovski-crystal duster earrings and dark-side trinkets too, like Lucite skull rings.
I
té casan
382 W. Broadway (bet. Broome & Spring Sts.), 212-584-8000;
www.tecasan.com
Head to this multifloor footwear showcase for big-time shoe therapy. If you love it, lunge for it – chances are these fashion-forward styles from virtually unknown international designers (not a Manolo in sight) won't be on view next visit.
Tibi
(photo courtesy of Tibi)
J
Tibi
120 Wooster St., (bet. Prince & Spring Sts.), 212-226-5852;
www.tibi.com
Color your world at womenswear designer Amy Smilovic's loftlike boutique done up with bold leaf-frond murals and bursting with floral-bedecked silk jersey frocks and anything-but-wallflower-ish neutral knockouts.
K
True Religion
'Fess up: you want the holy grail of LA-celeb-style, premium denim at premium prices, horseshoe-stitched pockets and all.
L
UGG Australia
79 Mercer St. (bet. Broome & Spring Sts.), 212-226-0602;
www.uggaustralia.com
Give into that craving for those forever-famous boots (and lined sandals, slippers and bags too) at this new outpost for all things fuzzy-wuzzy.
Uniqlo
(photo courtesy of Uniqlo)
M
Uniqlo
546 Broadway (bet Prince & Spring Sts.), 917-237-8800;
www.uniqlo.com
Basics are the backbone, but cool-hunters also flock to this über-popular Japanese company’s mammoth flagship to stock up on trendsetting clothing for the whole family at starving-artist prices.
Restaurants
N
Caffe Falai
265 Lafayette St. (Prince St.), 917-338-6207;
www.falainyc.com
For the complete Falai experience, head to the LES. When an early meal of well-priced Italian fare (sans beer or wine) fits the bill, stop into this sign-free sibling on the NoLita-SoHo border.
O
FR.OG
Coming Soon
71 Spring St. (bet. Broadway & Lafayette St.), no phone yet (slated to open in April)
Chef Didier Virot and restaurateur Philip Kirsh, of Aix Brasserie, are bringing their collaborative mojo to this duplex, a few baguette lengths away from Balthazar. Expect global dishes with a common thread: all will be influenced by cuisine of FRench OriGin.
P
Giorgione 508
508 Greenwich St. (bet. Canal & Spring Sts.), 212-219-2444
Grab a seat at the communal table of this way-west Giorgione spin-off and make friends with the pretty people chowing down on trattoria treats.
Q
Goblin Market
199 Prince St. (bet. MacDougal & Sullivan Sts.), 212-375-8275
No witches' stew brewing at this tiny New American, just seasonal dishes served in half- and full-portions.
R
HQ
90 Thompson St. (bet. Prince & Spring Sts.), 212-966-2755;
www.hqrestaurant.com
Head back to the farm, if only for brunch (seven days a week) and dinner at this stylish charmer where organic ingredients take center stage.
S
Provence
Coming Soon
38 MacDougal St. (Prince St.), 212-475-7500 (slated to reopen in mid-April)
Relive the good old days of wine and bouillabaisse at this neighborhood ami, reopening in revamped quarters under the helm of Cookshop and Five Points owners Vicki Freeman and Marc Meyer.
T
Tailor
Coming Soon
525 Broome St. (bet. Sullivan & Thompson Sts.), no phone yet (slated to open in late-April/early-May);
www.tailornyc.com
No, that's not a mad scientist manning the lab, er, stove, at this bi-level space on the horizon this spring – it's Wylie Dufresne/molecular gastronomy disciple Sam Mason. You'll be able to experiment further with drinks from mixologist Eben Freeman, also of wd-50.
Bars
U
Corio
337 W. Broadway (Grand St.), 212-966-3901;
www.corionyc.com
Top off your tapas with a side of old-school and postmodern burlesque at this sultry bi-level lounge.
V
Goldbar
389 Broome St. (bet. Centre Market Pl. & Mulberry St.), 212-274-1568;
www.goldbarnewyork.com
The vibe may be laid-back, nonetheless the glitterati still takes a shine to Little Italy's new golden gal from the Cain crew.
W
Martignetti Downstairs (Belgrade)
1 Cleveland Pl. (Broome St.), 212-680-5601
Dine at the late-night hub Bar Martignetti upstairs, then book downstairs to this clubby, librarylike bar below.
X
NoCa
323 W. Broadway (bet. Canal & Grand Sts.), 212-334-2232;
www.nocalounge.com
Cozy up to a cocktail downstairs or slither past the velvet rope to the luxe lounge upstairs, where you can sway to the DJ and swig with the well-heeled crowd.
Y
Soho Park
62 Prince St. (Lafayette St.), 212-219-2129;
www.sohoparknyc.com
Bavarian bratwurst and beer, burgers and Malbec...what could be better? Toast your good taste in cheapie comestibles in the glass-walled garage garden.
Hotels
1
Mercer, The
147 Mercer St. (Prince St.), 212-966-6060; Toll Free: 888-918-6060;
www.mercerhotel.com
Shop like a sheik, then sleep with the chic at this tony boutique hotel, also home to Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Mercer Kitchen.
2
Soho Grand Hotel
310 W. Broadway (bet. Grand & Canal Sts.), 212-965-3200; Toll Free: 800-965-3200;
www.sohogrand.com
3
Tribeca Grand Hotel
2 Sixth Ave. (bet. Church & Walker Sts.), 212-519-6700; Toll Free: 877-519-6600;
www.tribecagrand.com
After a day of brunching and browsing below Houston, why schlep uptown? Just check into this cool SoHo standby (or if you're craving more nightlife action, its hipster TriBeCa sibling nearby) and bring the pooch too.
4
Trump Soho
Coming Soon
Spring & Varick Sts. (slated to open in 2009)
5
The Downtown Hotel
Coming Soon
377 Greenwich St. (N. Moore St.), no phone yet (slated to open in May 2007)
Downtown choices are on the slim side, but not for long. Several hotels are in the works, including Donald Trump Jr.'s controversial condo-hotel high-rise that will tower over western SoHo and most likely house yet another BLT restaurant. And come May, hipsters will hotfoot it to Robert DeNiro's high-profile, six-story TriBeCa sleeperie, which will also be home to a New York version of Ago, his hot-spot Tuscan with outposts in West Hollywood and South Beach.