DOWNTOWN: THINGS LOOKED UP ONCE WE WERE GOING SOUTH
NYC Photo Diaries Part 2: Downtown Manhattan
NYC was off to a bit of a patchy start, what with Uptown and Midtown Manhattan living up to the city's fabled reputation for being a tease and a breaker of dreams - "Twenty five hundred dollars for a mouldy, curry-scented closet with my very own stoop crackhead? I'll take it!" - but the trip took a turn for the better once Luxy and I headed Downtown. I stuffed my Sephora haul into my suitcase, hopped into a yellow death trap on wheels manned by yet another De Niro-wannabe, and yelled: "Financial District...and step on it!" (before instantly regretting the last three words) then whizzed toward 14th St, only looking back once to bid farewell to The Chrysler building before embarking on the second and better half of our New York adventure.
The moment Luxy and I crossed the threshold and faced the blogger-approved marble and copper stairs of The Conrad, we knew that the second half of our NYC trip was going to be as relaxed as the Financial District was pleasantly serene. And for three good reasons - one: after the disappointment of our Times Square hotel, it was such a breath of fresh air to stay somewhere that actually deserved the accolade of luxury hotel, two: Downtown is far less congested with tourists, and three: the edgy Tribeca, Soho, and Meatpacking districts were much more the vibe of this West London girl in Shoreditch.
And how! I want to regale to you the highlights of NYC Part 2 but that'd imply leaving out the inferior bits, when in fact there wasn't anything about Downtown Manhattan that I didn't love (apart from the sudden downpour on my birthday, but that's not really the city's fault). No moment big nor small was anything less than ERMAHGERD AWESUM - from being surprised with a complimentary glass of champagne at The Balthazar (a tradition reserved for ladies dining solo, apparently) and making friends with two ladies at the next table who then showed up for my birthday the following night at Haus, to the Venusaur I nearly caught in NoLita (it was this big!), the mad taxi-dash club hopping between Haus, Tao Downtown, Sanatorium, Gold Bar (the list goes on...), an amazing dinner at STK Rooftop topped only a much needed 'hangover brunch' at Bubby's in Tribeca, walking the High Line, and of course the industrial-chic vibes of the Meatpacking District.
In New York City, going Downtown and 'going south' are two very different things, it would seem. Behold.
PHOTOS OF ME BY CATHERINE LUX, AS PER USUAL.
SHOP THE POST:
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102 North End Ave, New York, NY 10282
This luxurious hotel overlooking the Hudson river is an airy respite thanks to a) the soaring, light-filled atrium with overhead light installation that change colours every evening and b) all the rooms are suites, so you're guaranteed your much-needed space. Claustrophobes rejoice! Rates start from £266 per night.
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Conrad New York
The craft cocktail lounge on the hotel's roof gets seriously packed in summer. Cool off with one of Loopy Doopy's signature Prosecco & Popsicle cocktail - I loved the Blueberry Peach.
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180 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10007
The memorial is haunting; both serene as the water falls into unfathomable depths, lending a cool to the stifling summer heat yet incredibly sad when you think about the great number of innocence lives, lost senselessly in the war against liberty. Never forget - this is a memorial so please, have some decorum: I bristled at those using the memorial as backdrops for their wide-grinned, peace-signed selfies and parents who allowed their children to climb all over the names of the fallen like it were a playground sand pit. Show some respect.
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THE HIGH LINE
Just under a mile and a half long, this linear park is built on an elevated section of a disused New York Central Railroad spur (the West Side Line). Although punctuated with scaffolding, the view is mostly verdant and voyeuristic (Favourite game: I spy with my little eye, someone walking around their living room in the buff...).
Just under a mile and a half long, this linear park is built on an elevated section of a disused New York Central Railroad spur (the West Side Line). Although punctuated with scaffolding, the view is mostly verdant and voyeuristic (Favourite game: I spy with my little eye, someone walking around their living room in the buff...).
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80 Spring St, New York, NY 10012
This gorgeous French bistro in SoHo has a raw seafood bar, and offers steaming hot carbs from their bakery. Every visitor to New York must take in a brunch at Balthazar - bellinis and eggs benedict, absolutely compulsory.
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WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
351 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Afterward, pop into this nearby boutique and shop for vintage designer clothing and accessories.
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GOLD BAR
389 Broome St, New York, NY 10013
An oligarch's dream - the walls of this extravagant NoLita night club are covered in gold skulls. I know. Oh, and I ran into a Venusaur with crazy high CP just outside the club (sadly, this was before I unlocked Ultra Balls, so for now I remain Venusaur-less).
351 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013
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GOLD BAR
389 Broome St, New York, NY 10013
How to get preferential treatment in New York (and guaranteed immediate entry into clubs): be young, well-dressed, and speak like Helen Mirren. Zing!
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26 Little W 12th St, New York, NY 10014
Time to pack some meat in the Meatpacking District. The NYC branch of STK Rooftop offers a distinct edge over its London counterpart - for one, the stunning view of The Standard soaring over the skyline, two: the beautiful and too-cool-for-you crowd nodding along to insanely good tunes as the sun goes down. Manhattan hip at its finest. Oh, and the #meatporn was incredible, too - I'll blog about it in my next post!
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848 Washington St, New York, NY 10014
On the topic of good eats, The Standard Grill is unmissable. The crowds that flock on this luxurious, Pinterest-perfect bistro meets American diner seem to think so too - unless you've made a reservation, you're guaranteed to be turned away. I had my birthday brunch here - both the food and the service was excellent. Read more about it in my review here.
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848 Washington St, New York, NY 10014
Talk about crowd control - being a guest of The Standard doesn't guarantee you'll get into achingly cool Le Bain (But of course, being two young Londoners with cut-glass British accent does...or maybe that's just us). There is a swimming pool (or was it a hot tub?) with disco ball in the bar. Enough said.
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14 Avenue C, New York, NY 10009
Hospital-themed cocktail bar in the East Village serving up expertly made cocktails in seriously stylish, Victorian-gothic surroundings.
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92 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
I had my birthday dinner at this enormous Pan Asian restaurant (there's a giant Buddha centrepiece - hello is dis Ibiza?) and we partied at the adjoining nightclub the night before. OTT in the best way possible.
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285 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013
Another night, another club. Haus was by far my favourite in NYC - very danceable hip-hop and rap, a crowd that appreciates a big booty (especially when the bearer is of, um, more exotic origin), and bottle service far more generous than what you get in London (God Bless America, home of the free pour).
Another night, another club. Haus was by far my favourite in NYC - very danceable hip-hop and rap, a crowd that appreciates a big booty (especially when the bearer is of, um, more exotic origin), and bottle service far more generous than what you get in London (God Bless America, home of the free pour).
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120 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013
Following the epic hangover that ensued my birthday celebrations and facing our flight to Orlando, Luxy and I hauled arse to nearby Tribeca for an incredible brunch. Her blueberry peach pancakes were the things dreams are made of, going from the sensual noises coming from beside me (or maybe that was me tucking into my griddle breakfast of buttermilk pancakes with sausage, bacon, and syrup).