OUR NYC


a friend was going to be visiting nyc so we thought it would be a great opportunity to post some of our favorite spots. most are local, but there do seem to be a number from japan. we're not big on expensive restaurants and prefer small cafes, which are highlighted in teal. we'll keep this list updated and probably add some photos in the future. so, get your walking shoes on, some $$$ and let's go. we've arranged them by neighborhood.

xo, cindy

ps if you have any other special spots in nyc, let me know and i'll add them to the list if they're places we like to visit or would like to!
_________________________________________________

QUASI-UPTOWN
bloomingdale's - super-department store & forty carrots restaurant. delish!
59th street & lexington avenue

museum of modern art - the new building is as great as the art.
53rd street & 6th avenue

magnolia's bakery - one red velvet cupcake, please. ok, two.
50th street & sixth avenue

anthropologie - this is the best one with two floors!
50th @ rockefeller center
_________________________________________________

MIDTOWN
times square - visit at night for fantastic photos.
42nd street & 7th avenue

grand central terminal - great building and food court.
42nd street & park avenue

ny public library, main branch, rose reading room is incredible & free.
42nd street & fifth avenue

bryant park
42nd street & 6th avenue. outdoor movies on the lawn in the summer on monday's @ 5 pm.

kinokuniya - japanese store with wonderful craft books, paper goods and anime.
41st street & sixth avenue

international center for photography
42nd street & 6th avenue

muji - japanese department store features clean lines and neutrals.
40th street & eighth avenue

b& j fabrics - really organized & helpful.
525 7th avenue (in the 30s)

tinsel trading - trims & notions, incredible store for crafters. must visit!
37th street & 5th avenue

empire state building - iconic & very special to our city.
34th street & 5th avenue 
_________________________________________________

MEATPACKING DISTRICT
lots of high-end stores in this neighborhood, but must our visits are -

high line park
gansevoort street, in the meatpacking district, to west 20th street, in chelsea, between 1oth & 11th avenues.

chelsea market - redefines the term 'food court'.
15th street & 9th avenue

billy's bakery via chockpocky - she loves the banana cream pie.
21st street & ninth avenue
_________________________________________________

SOHO
so many shops, but we love

dean & deluca via jamie - gourmet food shop, including doughnut plant via chockpocky.
prince street & broadway

uniqlo - colorful japanese clothing store has great prices.
prince street & broadway

vespa via jamie - famous scooters.
13 crosby street

kate's paperie - stationery & paper crafts.
72 spring street (between crosby & lafayette streets)

paul smith via jamie - very cool english designer.
greene street & w. houston

van leeuwen ice cream truck - the most delicate organic ice cream. favorite flavor = all.
greene & prince streets.

makie - incredible handmade clothes, love everything made with liberty of london fabric, especially for little girls.
109 thompson & prince streets

snack - cozy cafe serving delicious greek food.
105 thompson & prince streets

purl - legendary knitting & sewing shops.
sullivan street & prince (they'll be moving in april 2010)

once upon a tart - for a quick bite to eat.
sullivan street & prince (next to purl knitting)

local - also good for a quick bite.
sullivan street & prince (across the street from purl patchwork)

thompson & sullivan streets have really nice independent boutiques. from there you can walk to greenwich village or the west village.
_________________________________________________

READER SUGGESTIONS

UNION SQUARE
thé adoré via chockpocky - 'charming rustic 2nd floor dining room for a light lunch (tea + sandwiches, soups, pastries)'.
17 E. 13th, just off Fifth, just below Union Square

GREENWICH VILLAGE
greenwich letterpress via chockpocky - lovely stationery store.
christopher street & seventh avenue
sweetiepie restaurant via dallas shaw - sweet restaurant & dessert bar.
10th street & greenwich avenue

EAST VILLAGE
momofuku milk bar via chockpocky - 'delicious corn cookies + decadent cakes & inventful soft serve flavors'.
13th street & second avenue
_________________________________________________

OUTER-BOROUGHS
long island city - queens
easy to get to from grand central - one stop on 7 train.
gorgeous views of mid-town from a really nice park - this is the attraction, but there are a few very nice shops and several restaurants - our favorite is cafe henri right by the subway.

new york botanical garden - bronx
get there using metro north from grand central.

williamsburg - brooklyn
very cool shops and restaurants.