I f*&king love New York.
I lived in Brooklyn for two and a half years until I moved back to the UK in April this year.
I support the Nets.
My favourite pie (read: pizza) spot is Lucali in Carroll Gardens. Failing that, I can name several other places that are great for slices from Bay Ridge to the West Side.
I love $7 lychee martinis from Verlaine on the Lower East Side (LES) during happy hour.
But I can also point you in the direction of many a great watering hole – from dive bars, like Bar 169 on the LES, to something a lil more speakeasy, like Bathtub Gin in Chelsea, or upmarket, like Rose Bar at Gramercy Park Hotel.
Basically, Id say I know NYC pretty well.
But, no matter how long youre on this earth, you cant know it all. So here are five things I recently discovered about my beloved second home:
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1. Roof farms are a thing
In a city where space is short, people really have to think outside the box. Or on top of the box.
Brooklyn Grange is a rooftop farm in Queens that supplies local restaurants with seasonal produce all year round. If youre a knowledge nerd like me theres a tour for that – which costs just $15 for 45 mins and theres only ever a maximum of four people. Asides from tours, they put on workshops, dinner, yoga…basically, their social calendar is pretty packed. And I HIGHLY recommend a visit to their shop, also on the roof, especially to bag yourself some of their honey.
My biggest regret? I opted for the small jar.
2. Bookworms are cool
If you go down to the Morgan Library today, youre sure of a big surprise: like an original score for Symphony no. 35 in D major, signed by Mozart himself. This is the private collection of one of Americas greatest financiers – Pierpont Morgan. Open Tuesday to Sunday, entrance is $20 – unless youre savvy and pop along 7pm-9pm on Fridays when its free to get in.
Or, for something a lil more special, get LOCALIKE New York to arrange a private and bespoke tour.
Where to go out in NYC
Like my mind, the hotspots in NYC are forever changing, but heres some that are hot right now…
BROOKLYN[hhmc]
Miss Favela (Williamsburg) – an oldie but a goodie, this Brazilian spot is jumpin on a Sunday afternoon
Bembe (Williamsburg) – for good times after dark, there are some solid tunes from this club
Featherweight (Williamsburg) – Hungry? Get a table at Sweet Science. Thirsty? Enter the joint-owned speakeasy Featherweight
Gelateria Gentile (Williamsburg) – Enjoy your just desserts from the Italian family who have been making the cold stuff since 1880
Oxomoco (Greenpoint) – Founded by the guy behind pizza-spot Speedy Romeo, Ive only heard good things about this hipster-Mexican restaurant
MANHATTAN
Ghost Donkey (NoHo) – Riding that tequila and mezcal wave, this Mexican-inspired bar doesnt disappoint
Forgetmenot (LES) – A cosy LES classic for food and drink
Zauo (Chelsea) – Catch your own fish and learn about the lifecycle as you eat the rewards of your hard work
Las Lap (LES) – If you want an alternative to Caribbean spot Miss Lilys head to Las Lap for some solid West Indian. Gladys in Brooklyn is also a fav.
The McKittrick Hotel – This venue is the home of Punch Drunks famous immersive theatre experience Sleep No More. But its also home The Club Bar for some great evening entertainment.
3. Lifes good on the open seas (read: rivers)
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A private sailing experience may sound spenny but, if you split it among a group, its actually not that bad. Depending on the time of day and experience you go for, it costs between $90-110 per person for a 2-hour ride, with a max of 6 passengers, on TARA (a 1964 Hinckley Custom Pilot 35 sailboat, if that means anything to you).
Captain Dave took us out of the North Cove Marina, up to the Statue of Liberty and down and round Lower Manhattan, pootling along between Manhattan and Brooklyn and under the Manhattan Bridge before heading back.
We sailed the Hudson, East and Harlem Rivers, which is just a cool thing to be able to say.
Tip: get Perfect Picnic to cover the food situ so you dont have to bother. For just $35 dollars you can get The Classic Picnic which includes cheeses, meats, baguettes, olives, jam, cookies, tea and water. Theyll even deliver straight to the boat.
4. Why buy skincare when you can make your own?
Laena McCarthy is herbalist, wellness expert, and doula who specialises in womens reproductive health – thats after having a previous career in science and academia, of course. Shes also the lady behind Anarchy in a Jar, which creates food for bellies, and Laena Mira, which creates food for skin. Everything is made by hand with local produce, but she also holds classes so you can learn how to make anything from jam through to personalised infused-oils and balms.
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Classes are often hosted by the excellent Brooklyn Brainery (community-driven and crowdsourced education) and prices vary.
Who knows, you could be an Estée Lauder in-the-making.
5. Theres more to Art Deco than meets the eye
Taking a walking tour with Louis Mazzari of Context Tours was something else.
This human encyclopedia knows more about the city and its architecture than an architect. And he doesnt just cover the obvious ones – the Rockefeller, for instance – he also knows which revolving doors to whisk through in order to find a beautifully ornate, tranquil, period lobby behind.
Tours take around 3 hours and prices start from $60 per person with a maximum of 6 people on a group tour. If youre not a fan of strangers, theres always the option for a private tour.
From historians to mixologists, all the guides, like Louis, are experts and are happy to handle curveball requests on the fly, just like Louis did for us.
It means you get to see a side to New York few would discover solo.
Where to stay in New York
The Chatwal has one thing that is hard to find in New York: space. But it also has a Grand-Budapest-Hotel-like charm and service, where waiters remember your every request, accompanied by food that the late Anthony Bourdain would approve of – their Avocado Tartine is YUM and Stuffed French Toast is something else.
And this NYC establishment certainly has a colourful history – designed by Standford White (an American renaissance architect who is responsible for Madison Square Garden, the New York Herald Building, and The Washington Square Arch) it originally opened its doors as Americas first professional theatre club in 1905.
It was known for its raucous, champagne-fuelled parties and prestigious members list – graced by the likes of John Barrymore and Frank Sinatra to name just two. It was the place to go, be entertained and then sleep it off upstairs.
Continuing its heritage with an impressive list of suites with private terraces, butler service and an E-class Mercedes town car service, it really doesnt do things by halves.
Superior Queens start from £750 per night. Crown Suites start from £1,025 per night. Visit thechatwalnyc.com for more info.
What to do in NYC
If, like me, your favourite word is delegate, try LOCALIKE.
You basically pay them to come up with an insider-itinerary for you so you can enjoy NYC like a local.
They can get private and more personalised access to things, like the Morgan Library, which would otherwise be out of reach.
Everything on our trip was organised by them so all we had to do was turn up.
Prices start at $49 (approx. £37), involves filling out a 15-minute questionnaire about your likes and dislikes, and results in an itinerary bespoke to you.
They are currently offering metro.co.uk readers 10% off New York PERSONAL, New York SELECTION, and gift certificates (not valid for New York SMART).
Valid for one month from the publication date of this article. Just punch in the code: METRO10.
If you stay at The Chatwal, theyve also created bespoke packages for each of the Crown Suites which can be added on for an extra £450 per suite.
Visit localike-newyork.com for more info.
Hannah Berry George is a writer and director. Find more from her at hannahberrygeorge.com or on Twitter and Instagram @veryberrygeorge
How to get to NYC
Since April this year, Icelands fun-sized airline WOW Air now operate a route from London Stansted to New Yorks JFK and EWR airports. Fares start from £149.99 one-way on a basic package. One thing to note: there is no entertainment system on the plane so be sure to bring your own. Visit wowair.co.uk for more info.
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