,

We Love New York

,

To us, visiting New York is like visiting a life-long best friend. When we arrive we’re overwhelmed with all the catching up there is to do, and when the time comes to say goodbye, it’s downright painful! There is SO much to do, see, eat, and try in NYC… so we recommend coming up with a gameplan. It’s always smart to have a list of your “Must Do’s” while in the city, but leave room to wander and explore! While Times Square is truly remarkable (especially at night), don’t eat there. The food is expensive, touristy, and mostly chain restaurants. Foodies, make sure you get off the beaten path!! Don’t forget to ask the locals for recommendations, some of the best places we’ve discovered have been from word of mouth.  Here’s a few of our favorite NYC spots!

 

Tiny’s And The Bar Upstairs: A three-story townhouse built in 1810 and converted to a restaurant & bar, Tiny’s is by far the most historic spot on our list! Paired with a delicious, high-quality menu and drinks, impeccable service and fantastic branding - Tiny’s cannot be missed! Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We recommend bypassing the crowds and coming for lunch. If available, sit by the fireplace.

 

Levain Bakery:Cookies to die for. And we don’t say that lightly. A visit to Levain’s is an absolute MUST when visiting New York, and chances are you won’t go just once. A small bakery on the Upper West Side, Levain Bakery was started by two best friends with a love for chocolate chip cookies. Today their cookies have received international recognition, attracting fans across the globe. (Even Taylor Swift recently instagrammed about them!) Our favorite flavors? Alli loves the Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip cookie (pictured), Bobby loves the Chocolate Chip Walnut. But all four flavors are incredible, so we say try one of each! We try to make one last stop at Levain right before we head to the airport, so we have treats for the plane.

 

Smith and Mills: If you haven’t already noticed, we love finding hidden gems in every location we visit. Smith and Mills is one of those places! If this quaint bar and restaurant hadn't been recommended to us, we would have easily passed right by it. There are no signs, just two big wooden doors that open up to one of the most intriguing and cozy spots we’ve ever been. We recommend sitting in a corner booth by a window, ordering a Pimm’s Cup (or two), and soaking in the alluring ambiance. And definitely check out the bathroom sink. Weird, we know, but it’s really cool. Open for lunch & dinner.

 

Eataly: Words simply cannot do this place justice. Eataly is a high-end Italian food market, consisting of beautiful food displays, restaurants, bakery items, and SO much more! Co-owner and world-famous Chef Mario Batali describes it as a “grocery store with tasting rooms” and we describe it as heaven on earth! We recommend that you plan on spending at least a couple hours inside Eataly - walk through the food halls, share a cheese tray at a standing table at La Piazza, followed by pizza at La Pizza and Pasta (the margherita is award-winning!) and an espresso at Caffe Vergnano. Are you hungry yet? Open daily, 10am-11pm.

 

ABC Kitchen: Fresh, seasonal, artistic, and an atmosphere we are trying to re-create in our house! While we have yet to sample everything on the menu, we know that you can’t go wrong at ABC Kitchen. They take pride in every ingredient and every entree they create, and it shows! Make a reservation, as it does get busy. We recommend coming about an hour early, so you can shop around in the ABC Carpet & Home store (connected to the restaurant). You’ll be glad you did! Open for lunch & dinner, and brunch on Saturdays.

 

Chelsea Market: This is so much more than an indoor food hall, it’s an experience! Located in the meatpacking district, the Chelsea Market takes up a whole block, and has more than 35 vendors! Some of our favorites? The Doughnuttery, Fat Witch Bakery, and Cork Buzz Wine Studio!

 

The 11th St. Bar: This neighborhood Irish pub hosts live music every Sunday night that will make you feel as though you’ve died and gone to heaven (or Ireland)! There's no need to rush, as the musicians don’t start arriving until 11pm. Grab a seat at the bar, order a Guinness, and soak in the music. Your life will never be the same.

 

The Broome: Choosing a hotel in NYC is daunting. It can seem as though the options are endless. With so many up-and-coming neighborhoods, it’s nearly impossible to pick where to stay! The Broome in SOHO has quickly become our new go-to. It features top-of-the-line bedding and decor, friendly staff (you’ll leave feeling like they’re family), and complimentary breakfast (featuring the most amazing cappuccinos and lattes!) And with only 14 rooms, The Broome feels like a small oasis in the Big Apple.