Ea t / d r i n k
NOMAD Even if you’re not staying here, it is well worth an early-evening cocktail in the Library. On your way through, note the leatherclad walls and incredible joinery in the Elephant Bar. The perfect way to spend an afternoon on a cold, maybe even snowy, day. thenomadhotel.com
SMITH & MILLS A favourite of mine in Tribeca and great for a late-night chicken sandwich. It has chalky blue walls, industrial lights, buttoned banquettes and a zinc-lined bar, and make sure you pop in to see the cool bathroom. It’s open until 3am but there’s no sign, so keep an eye out for the pair-of-compasses logo and arched doors. smithandmills.com
BALTHAZAR Established forever ago by pioneer and restaurant guru Keith Mcnally, this is a must-stop for any NY trip. The interior is better than bistros in Paris and, although the queues can be daunting, there are ways around it. At lunchtime, aim for a seat in the bar if you want a quick bite. I love the Balthazar salad, a bowl of chips and glass of something. My favourite time is around 4pm when the boiled eggs come out at the bar – a pick-me-up washed down with a glass of Champagne so you can keep shopping until 8pm. balthazarny.com BG RESTAURANT After making your way through eight floors of the shopping mecca that is Bergdorf Goodman, stop and recoup over a glass of rosé Champagne in the glamorous Kelly Wearstler-designed BG’S. Make a lunch booking at Table 1 or 2 with the canopy chairs that overlook the park. bergdorfgoodman.com
HOTEL DELMANO On entry, it’s as though you’re walking into a salon and waiting to be introduced to the witty host! What’s on offer is cocktail-focused with fancy seasonal drinks and charcuterie plates surrounded by smoky mirrors, chandeliers, old portraits and all the trappings of a good evening out. hoteldelmano.com
FREEMANS I like rustic Freemans by night. Its location at the end of an alley is full of mystery and intrigue, with potted pines and fairy lights. Pull back the velvet curtain on the pulsating bar and, if the wait is long, settle at the second pewter bar in the far room and order a Manhattan. If you venture upstairs, check out all the nooks and crannies. freemansrestaurant.com
TACOMBI The perfect spot for a quick and delicious taco with a guava-flavoured soda after walking the streets of Nolita and checking out Bowery graffiti wall. Always fun, with lots of sign-writing, string lights and good music at its three Downtown locations. tacombi.com