Manhattan Tag

04 Jul

Posted at 11:48h in Around the world, Barlife, New York City

While there is only one New York, this is already the second and final edition of Sneakerzimmer’s bar guide to share our personal insights into NYC’s best bars and bartenders. Watching the Covid-19 drama unfold, the last weeks were extremely painful. We can only hope for better times. Our minds and hearts belong to all the great people of NYC, the doctors and nurses, the hard-working employees in the hospitality industry, who might have lost their jobs, and especially to our friends Emily and Hamid. Let’s focus on the light at the end of the tunnel! In the meantime a drink and our guide might help to shorten the wait.

Food Guide New York-51

Hey, you’re the comeback kid
See me look away
I’m the runaway
I’m the stay out late
I’m recovering

– Sharon Van Etten, Comeback Kid

****

Crown Shy (Financial District)

 

Bar Guide NYC New York-5

Yes this is a bar in a restaurant – or more precisely – a very good bar in a very good restaurant. Last year’s opening of Jeff Katz’s and chef James Kent’s fine dining temple Crown Shy on Pine Street certainly ranked among New York’s hottest new restaurants. We are totally in love with Crown Shy’s unique combination of exquisite food in a truly remarkable setting. But the elegant Art Décoarchitecture is not only home to a memorable dining experience (please see our latest NYC food guide for more details), the ambitious bar program curated by head bartender Harrison Ginsberg – formerly The Dead Rabbit – also puts Crown Shy among NYC’s top spots for cocktail lovers. Harrison pointed out that classic cocktails are usually quite strong in NYC. But as more and more people tend to low-ABV drinks (ABV stands for “alcoholic strength by volume”) they decided to reduce the alcoholic content of their own creations – also with regard to the flavorful food that should not be dominated by a excessively stiff beverage pairing. Their highball section called “Crowns” mixes different popular spirits like vodka, pisco or gin with fruity or other seasonal ingredients to create a crisp and refreshing long drink. All “Crowns” like the pictured “Vodka Crown” with tarragon and cucumber are served in a picturesque glassware matching the distinctive Art Déco style of the place. The other drinks from Crown Shy’s sophisticated bar menu are divided into a “Stirred & Bold” and a “Shaken & Fresh” section. The Tequila-based “Radicle” uses habanero chili to create a mild heat that goes astonishingly well with the flavors of raspberry and rhubarb. We also don’t want to forget the non-alcoholic choices. It doesn’t matter if you just come by  for a drink at the bar or for the full dinner experience (highly recommended) — in either case Crown Shy is more than a safe bet!

Bar Guide NYC New York-7 Bar Guide NYC New York Bar Guide NYC New York-6 Bar Guide NYC New York-4 Bar Guide NYC New York-3

Subject (Lower East Side)

 

Bar Guide NYC New York-15

How do you find the best bars in a big city like New York? Ask the professionals! No we aren‘ttalking about ourselves, we just soak up all recommendations from bartenders and industry insiders who we meet during our trips and squeeze them into a handy guide. It’s easy to miss a nondescript spot like Subject even if you think that you know a lot about the Lower East Side. But with a little help from Sean Saunders of Devon (check out our first NYC bar guide) we were thankfully pointed in the right direction. Subject could be the prototype of a low-key neighborhood joint. It’s unpretentious, cozy, honest and always available. At least this place is open every day of the year until 4 AM. Even for New York this seems more than rare and it might explain why Subject is a favorite among bartenders. In the back a big screen shows cult movies mostly from the 90’s and 2000’s adding to the homely living room feeling. Here you simply grab a seat at the bar and start a chat with the bartender. Perhaps you will catch Brian Grummart on his shift. We can assure you that you will be in good hands (that’s quite an understatement). Brian may recommend you one of their house cocktails like the extremely delicious “Thyme lasts forever”. The combination of gin, thyme liqueur – hence the name – kiwi and fresh lemon makes for a surprisingly well-balanced drink. If somebody started a petition for more kiwi cocktails, count us in! At Subject there’s no false affectation, no showing off, no fake hospitality. While the crowd on a Friday or Saturday night can sometimes get a little too jolly, Subject still manages to keep its self-proclaimed “Welcome Home” vibes. Those are even more present on weekdays.

Bar Guide NYC New York-10 Bar Guide NYC New York-12 Bar Guide NYC New York-13 Bar Guide NYC New York-11

The Long Island Bar (Cobble Hill)

 

Bar Guide NYC New York-22

It’s not easy to blend the old with the new, the past with the present, but despite all the obstacles that could arise from such an endeavor, some places hit all the right notes. Let’s introduce The Long Island Bar on Cobble Hill’s Atlantic Avenue as a blueprint for this tricky concept. In business since 1951 and under a new ownership since 2013, this iconic place embodies New York’s cocktail culture without any gimmicks or a fake attitude. Toby Cecchini and his business partner Joel Tompkins had a clear vision when they took over the bar seven years ago: On the one hand honoring The Long Island Bar’s rich history and that of the surrounding neighborhood – Cobble Hill was once a popular destination for sailors with endless bars, brothels and diners – on the other hand nothing short of establishing the perfect neighborhood bar. From over perspective, Toby and Joel definitely achieved both goals with their concept of a revitalized classic bar program. The illuminated neon signs on the façade will guide you directly to a place where knowledgeable bartenders serve great, timeless drinks like an Old Fashioned, a Boulevardier or a Gimlet. As Toby told us, he will never remove eitherof those classics from the menu. In the end, all of them are irreplaceable parts of the bar’s DNA. You can almost feel the so-called “good old times” in every detail of the interior. From the walls and their real patina to the cozy booths, all the small pieces fit together creating a highly authentic journey through time and bar history. And even though this is a bar guide, we have to mention their famous burger. You get the deal right?

Bar Guide NYC New York-23 Bar Guide NYC New York-18 Bar Guide NYC New York-17 Bar Guide NYC New York-19 Bar Guide NYC New York-25

Sweet Afton (Astoria)

 

Bar Guide NYC New York-26

A New York bar guide wouldn‘t be complete without all the great neighborhood joints from all across this big and beautiful city. As already pointed out in our latest food guide, we highly encourage you to explore the places off the beaten track. Go to the different neighborhoods and ask the locals about their favorite places! We’re pretty sure that if you go to Astoria – which is easily accessible by the N- and W-trains – many will tell you to check out Sweet Afton on 34th Street. This place just celebrated its “10 sweet years” in business. Apparently these guys must do something damn right! Owned by the same people as The Bonnie bar (feel free to check our food guide) Sweet Afton fortunately sticks to the same friendly neighborhood vibes. It’s also a hybrid between a laid-back bar and a casual restaurant very similar to the above-mentioned The Bonnie. Besides cocktails you can also choose between many different craft beers from local breweries and a mouth-watering food menu including their famous “Sweet Afton Burger”. For their 10-year-anniversary the bar’s interior got a complete redesign by Wes Anderson’s set decorator Kris Moran. The results of his work are present all over the place (we won’t spoil the fun). Sweet Afton’s bar director Cory Miller runs an eclectic bar program with some seasonal inspiration and many dearly-beloved classics. During our visit we found drinks like a “Winter Sangria” or the Whiskey-based “Sweater Weather” on the menu. The pictured “She’s the One” made with hibiscus-infused vodka and pisco is a crowd-pleaser, Cory told us. Get one and you will know why! Sweet Afton is not only worth a trip to Astoria, it’s also worth making a return.

Bar Guide NYC New York-33 Bar Guide NYC New York-32 Bar Guide NYC New York-29 Bar Guide NYC New York-30 Bar Guide NYC New York-31 Bar Guide NYC New York-28

Bar Pisellino (West Village)

 

Bar Guide NYC New York-39

The place for “La dolce vita” in NYC is obviously not the tourist trap called Little Italy. Instead you can experience authentic Italian vibes in a relatively small area located between the West Village and Washington Square Park. While we already picked the one-of-a-kind Dante for our first NYC bar guide, there’s by now another charming café/aperitivo bar in that area. Just a stone’s throw away from Christopher Park with the famous Stonewall monument, Bar Pisellino awaits all aficionados of Italian deliciousness. The instant success of that quite recently opened corner spot comes as no surprise. The co-owners Rita Sodi and Jody Williams were already making big waves as two award-winning chefs with their restaurants “I Sodi”, “Buvette” and “Via Carota” (all located in the West Village). Bar Pisellino is their take on a classic Italian bar. Open from early mornings serving espresso and other coffee specialties to late evenings offering different wines, aperitivi and classic cocktails this place seems always busy but never in a rush. When the weather is good, people line up on the sidewalk with Bar Pisellino’s aperitivo drinks and small bites (don’t blame us for getting hooked on the panini and bombolini). But not only their food is a celebration of the real Italy, the same can be said about Bar Pisellino’s cocktails – most of them using vermouth or amari – overseen by Ex-Dante bartender Stacey Swenson. Hence there are not many bars in NYC where you will find a better Martini – smooth, rich, highly satisfying. But of course all drinks that the bar teamwill send over Pisellino’s beautiful curved marble counter match the highest standards in mixology. Even Italians will agree.

Bar Guide NYC New York-37 Bar Guide NYC New York-40 Bar Guide NYC New York-36 Bar Guide NYC New York-34 Bar Guide NYC New York-42 Bar Guide NYC New York-41

Attaboy (Lower East Side)

 

Bar Guide NYC New York-45

Some people need no introduction. Everyone who is familiar with NYC’s history of craft cocktails will stumble across the names of Michael McIlroy and Sam Ross sooner or later. These two guys are living legends, both having worked with Sasha Petraske at Milk & Honey back in the day. After this cathedral of modern drinking closed its doors, Michael and Sam took over the old Milk & Honey space on Eldridge Street. It was the hour of birth for their own “baby” Attaboy that promptly became their next success story. As a guest you immediately sense you are in for an extraordinary cocktail experience. First of all there, is no menu. Instead, Attaboy’s experienced bartenders will involve you in a little Q&A sessiontrying to figure out your personal taste when it comes to cocktails. As this might sound a little intimidating especially for cocktail newbies, let’s make clear that this in fact not the case. Everyone is welcome at Attaboy, just be prepared to wait in line for one of the few seats in this really tiny, intimate space that gets quite busy every night – 7 days a week. If you can manage it, come here early on a weekday or put your name on the waiting list. They operate on a first come, first served policy and therefore don’t take reservations. In our opinion Attaboy’s superb drinks and their unique approach to hospitality are worth almost every wait. We met Michael on a sunny afternoon at Attaboy. In daylight the bar looks completely different. When night falls, Attaboy’s speakeasy vibes take over the venue, transforming it into a truly magical, low-lit spot with reams of small candles and first-rate spirits. Make sure to also check out Michael’s and Sam’s new casual hangout Diamond Reef in Brooklyn. It might be as popular as Attaboy some day.

Bar Guide NYC New York-44 Bar Guide NYC New York-43

Nitecap (Lower East Side)

 

Bar Guide NYC New York-47

Only a few places sweep us off our feet. This marvelous kitschy bar tucked away in a basement on the Lower East Side that recently celebrated its 6th anniversary definitely falls in this category. Nitecap is at the same time a playful neighborhood joint and a “serious” bar with an ambitious cocktail program. Don’t let the colorful, highly imaginative menu fool you! Every edition comes up with new surprises and inventive drinks. Starting with aperitifs, continuing with more boozy drinks (hence the name “firewater”) and some so called “gulpable thirst quenchers” and a final selection of “nitecaps” their craft cocktails will probably please all kinds of barflies. But Nitecap’s owner Natasha David – formerly of Williamsburg’s well-known oyster bar “Maison Premiere” – understands that people are not only thirsty for a good drink. Therefore the crew at Nitecap places the same emphasis on the overall experience, which includes an “everyone is welcome” mindset and a quirky atmosphere. Obviously this intimate, LGBTQ-friendly bar doesn’t take itself too seriously – another great plus. With all the blinking lights and the intentionally trashy décor Nitecap has established its own style. Guests, who are called “nitecappers”, can experience chilled vibes during the week and a party attitude at the weekends. The cozy interior as well as the signature drinks by head bartender Ari Daskauskas share the same attention to detail. While there are unfortunately too many pretenders out there, it’s good to know the real ones.After six years in business Nitecap has earned its status as one of NYC’s best neighborhood bars. We always leave this bar with a smile and the craving to coming back.

Bar Guide NYC New York-46 Bar Guide NYC New York-50 Bar Guide NYC New York-49 Bar Guide NYC New York-48

Black Emperor Bar (East Village)

 

Bar Guide NYC New York-52

The ever-changing East Village is home to an endless number of bars, restaurants, clubs and cafés. It’s probably one of the toughest places to successfully run a bar in the long term. Having this in mindyou have to give kudos to award-winning bartender Ben Rojo, whose name was previously associated with the legendary East Village speakeasy Angel’s Share (go there, have a drink or two and send some greetings to barchef Takuma from us). Now Ben is managing partner of a relatively new Japanese-style place on 2nd Avenue. It’s called Black Emperor Bar. This cozy joint has an authentic dive feel to it, playing with East Asian influences and a charming neighborhood vibe. You can watch old Japanese black-and-white-movies while sipping a cold beer, a traditional sake or one of their house cocktails. The refreshing “Toki Highball” made with Japanese whiskey of the same name (it’s a mild blend of different Suntory whiskeys) is always a safe and highly satisfying choice. For a hot summer night we recommend the “Deer Hunter”, a frozen slushy-style drink with tequila. The unpretentious drinks are a reflection of the fun we had. It’s almost unthinkable not to enjoy your time here. Ben’s dive-like bar is also well-known for its diversified food pop-ups with some really great restaurants from all over the Village. Just recently they teamed up with the guys from celebrated wine bar Ruffian and Kindred, two critic’s darlings in that area. Serving mouth-watering bar food like burgers and chicken wings with an Asian twist their combo of drinks and food comes close to the perfect culinary match. We can only give you one advice: Hang out at the bar, soak up the atmosphere and experience East Village’s hospitality.

Bar Guide NYC New York-54 Bar Guide NYC New York-59 Bar Guide NYC New York-60 Bar Guide NYC New York-57 Bar Guide NYC New York-55

Mister Paradise (East Village)

 

Bar Guide NYC New York-61

From Black Emperor you can get to our next destination Mister Paradise within walking distance. And even though both bars are only separated by some blocks, each one represents a different world of mixology. Based on a highly playful take on a modern and accessible cocktail bar – you might consider it their common ground – they went in completely different directions. While Black Emperor is more of a dive spot with fun drinks and excellent food pop-ups, Mister Paradise feels more fancy and elaborated. We love ´em both! Mister Paradise adds an upscale vibe to East Village’s cocktail culture. At the same time those guys manage to incorporate the authenticity of the neighborhood into their truly unique concept. But wait! Who are “those guys”? It turns out that Mister Paradise is run by some very familiar names. Barchef and co-founder Will Wyatt once worked at world famous NoMad bar. His business partner Eric Kruvant is associated with another East Village spot called Drexler’s. At Mister Paradise they successfully combine an ámbitious bar program with a very casual attitude (patrons are welcomed by the slogan “probably the best cocktails”). Irony is part of that game. The place itself looks beautiful as every piece of the puzzle falls in place. From the Art Déco styled bar to the inviting big leather booths and the more than slightly odd images Will and Eric know how to create something new and modern. There is a very special private back room adorned in screaming red with a boxing kangaroo pic on the wall that teleports you into a different dimension. All the cocktails we had kept up with the sophisticated interior. The “Party Lobster” became their hot seller. Made with tequila, mezcal, Campari, watermelon, fermented habanero (!), lime and garlic it will definitely surprise you. As a cocktail lover make sure to add Mister Paradise to your friends list!

Bar Guide NYC New York-64 Bar Guide NYC New York-67 Bar Guide NYC New York-66 Bar Guide NYC New York-65 Bar Guide NYC New York-62 Bar Guide NYC New York-63

The Raines Law Room (Chelsea)

 

Bar Guide NYC New York-68

We are suckers for great speakeasies that handle things not only as cheap gimmicks. Either you approach such a concept with seriousness and an eye for every detail or you better stop thinking about running a speakeasy joint altogether. But don’t worry! We will guide you to the right places. This is definitely one of them. Upon entering The Raines Law Room flagship in Chelsea (there’s a second location at The William hotel) you will be teleported into another dimension. Leaving NYC’s bustle and hustle at the doorstep this place puts all emphasis on the perfect ambience for real cocktail connoisseurs. It’s the elegant, fancy version of the twilight zone. Established over 10 years ago it became a blueprint for successful speakeasies. Bar director Meaghan Dorman, who once studied at legendary Milk & Honey, joined forces with a team of experienced restaurateurs to create an almost timeless speakeasy. While this idea seemed quite new back in 2009, many copycats with a similar strategy have emerged over the years. The Raines Law Room’s recipe of success relies on the overall experience. It’s the combination of a deliberate venue with a lounge-like layout, a classy environment and an excellent cocktail menu with seasonal entries and time-honored classics. Technically, there is no bar to hang out. Instead you will be seated on plush leather sofas separated by airy curtains. The dimly lit space feels intimate and elegant. It looks completely unremarkable from the street level – hence true speakeasy style. The beautiful interior matches Meaghan’s cocktails that are partly inspired by the seasons, by classic drinks like the Manhattan (that section is called “New York State of Mind”) or are simply spirit-forward (“Stirred & Strong”). And don’t forget the “What we’re drinking” section with the staff favorites. As this place has become so popular, we highly recommend to show up early – especially on a busy Friday and Saturday night. Don’t be afraid to wait, The Raines Law Room is worth it.

Bar Guide NYC New York-74 Bar Guide NYC New York-70 Bar Guide NYC New York-72 Bar Guide NYC New York-71

Amor y Amargo (East Village)

 

Bar Guide NYC New York-78

More and more bars find their own small niche. But in order to thrive and prosper it takes some guts and courage at the beginning. Without any doubt Sother Teague – one of New York’s most charismatic figures within the bar industry, a bartender/author/podcaster/brand ambassador – is a man on a mission. He loves bitters and bitter-based drinks. Therefore he opened Amor y Amargo back in 2011 as a hideaway for all bitter connoisseurs. Located next to the utterly famous Death & Co. Sother’s tiny bar welcomes you with open arms. The limited space seats only about 10 to 12 guests with some additional standing room. Just recently, a spin-off opened in Williamsburg that follows in Amor y Amargo’s footsteps. While we still have to check out this new venue, we’re pretty sure that Sother will ensure the same high standards for his Williamsburg patrons. With all the different amaro brands from around the world impressively lined up on the shelves we recommend a tasting especially for those who might not be so familiar with the more complex flavors. Sother and his team love to share their passion and wisdom with every guest looking for  some education. There are no juices or other sweet fillers on the menu. Instead you are encouraged to start with the lighter, more easy-drinking cocktails and finish with the stronger ones like their very own “8 Amaro Sazerac”. The “Sharpie Moustache” is not only an Instagram darling (thanks to the presentation) but also a perfect example of Amor y Amargo’s straight-forward philosophy. Accurately described as a “bitters tasting room” Sother’s vision goes way beyond the traditional cocktail bar. He’s the best teacher we can think of!

Bar Guide NYC New York-79 Bar Guide NYC New York-81 Bar Guide NYC New York-80 Bar Guide NYC New York-75 Bar Guide NYC New York-76

****

In case you’re still thirsty at this point, make sure to also check out part 1 with more of our favorite neighborhood bars and speakeasies. Meet the great men and women who define New York’s cocktail culture today.

23 Feb

Posted at 11:12h in Allgemein, Around the world, New York City, Sneaker City Guide

What’s the world’s food capital? The answer is quite obvious – at least to us. New York should claim this title as its cuisine is heavily influenced by all parts of the world. From street vendors and old diners to Jewish soul food and fine dining, the range is not only incredibly broad but also reflects New York’s highly diverse population. In a time when new walls are built and nationalism is on the rise, food can bring us all together. Come to New York and see for yourself! In this food guide we take you on a virtual tour to our favorite places. Let’s start the day with the most important meal!

Food Guide New York

****

Breakfast & Brunch

 

La Bonbonniere (West Village)

 

Food Guide New York

It’s somehow good to know that even the West Village with all its fancy brunch spots and fine dining names can still do things – and with things we mean breakfast – the old school way. If you’re looking for a traditional American breakfast without any pretentious gimmicks, La Bonbonniere is the place to go. Here, they serve classics like egg and cheese sammies, pancakes, French toast and heavily filled omelets. And don’t forget to order some bacon as a side! While hip brunch spots promote their bottomless mimosas, La Bonbonniere has bottomless coffee like all good diners. Make sure that you have some dollars on you as this is a cash only place.

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York-2

Sonnyboy (Lower East Side)

 

Food Guide New York

Your friendly neighborhood place — that’s how we would sum up the experience at Lower East Side’s Sonnyboy. Although we only had breakfast and brunch here, this place is an all-day spot for unpretentious, highly seasonal food. The mornings at Sonnyboy are wonderfully relaxed – especially during the week. No hurry, no rude people, no noise. To us, here has been the perfect start into the day more than once. Foodwise there are also no bad choices. Their harissa folded eggs are a very tasty variation of a traditional omelet. House made granola, a crispy chicken sandwich and a winter breakfast with poached eggs, halloumi and mushrooms are some of Sonnyboy’s other breakfast choices. If you like the vibe and food here, you might also want to check out their sister-restaurant Banter near Washington Square Park.

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

Shoo Shoo (Nolita)

 

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

Shimon Maman is a well-known name when it comes to Mediterranean and Israeli cuisine. After leaving 12 Chairs Café back in 2018 – a place we loved for many years – he was looking for new opportunities. Shoo Shoo Nolita is his new “baby”. It has a very Mediterranean feel. Big windows, an airy dining room and lots of light contribute to that inviting atmosphere. Shoo Shoo aims to recreate Tel Aviv’s café culture with a New York touch. The dishes put a clear emphasis on organic and seasonal ingredients. Brunch is also served on Fridays – another plus. Plates like the “Shoo Shoo Breakfast” and the “Shookshooka” blend brunch favourites with Israeli staples like hummus, tahini and challah bread. Now we crave a trip to Israel even more.

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

Sadelle’s (Soho)

 

Food Guide New York

No matter if you want a satisfying breakfast or a savory brunch, Sadelle’s is the place to go. We are not sure if they make the “best bagels in NYC” but their baked goods came pretty close to bagel heaven. But Sadelle’s is more than just a bagel restaurant. They are famous for their “Sadelle’s Tower”. You can choose between a selection of fish (the house salmon being our first choice) and salads (egg salad, tuna salad, shrimp salad) or simply take both, if you are really hungry. Of course, all plates come with a fresh bagel of your choice: Plain, sesame, poppy, everything, pumpernickel, cinnamon raisin and so on. While the tower plates are the stars here, we would also like to mention Sadelle’s mouth-watering egg dishes. It’s a really tough choice and you will probably want to come back rather sooner than later.

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

The Bonnie (Astoria)

 

Food Guide New York

Get on the N- or W-train and leave Manhattan to have brunch at this cute spot in Queen’s Astoria neighborhood. That’s exactly what we did and we didn’t regret it (that’s of course a massive understatement)! The Bonnie is a classic neighborhood joint, an exceptionally cute bar-restaurant-hybrid that does food and drinks extremely well. While we yet have to return for dinner, our brunch experience was already quite remarkable. At The Bonnie, laid-back vibes and great hospitality come across a highly satisfying brunch menu. Whether you prefer the sweeter/lighter fares or the more heavy dishes like their famous brunch burger, chef Nick Testa’s food will make your day. The green eggs with ham and the breakfast panna cotta are only two of many standouts. As a mouth-watering starter or a slightly sweet finish The Bonnie’s “Lemon Poppy Dutch Baby” should be on everyone’s brunch list. It’s so good!

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

Davelle (Lower East Side)

 

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

It’s easy to overlook this tiny place on the Lower East Side. Davelle is a cute Japanese restaurant that is also open for lunch and dinner. In the morning they make very instagrammable toasts – both sweet and savory. While the “Berry & Cream Cheese” is the social media darling, we ordered their chocolate banana toast. More than yummy! If you want to have a breakfast or a small bite here, make sure that you aren’t in a hurry. Every dish and every toast is prepared with Japanese accuracy. In this fast moving and often crazy world, Davelle offers some very welcome contemplation.

Fairfax (West Village)

 

Food Guide New York

There’s something very Californian about this all-day neighborhood café in the West Village (hence the name Fairfax and the pictures of the LA Lakers on the wall?). The space is bright and the cozy interior with the different sofas and tables reminded us more of a private living room than a traditional café. In either case we immediately felt welcome. There are a couple of solid breakfast/brunch options like yoghurt and granola, omelet, avocado toast and of course their signature Israeli breakfast with hummus, pita and soft-boiled eggs. We guess the latter is their bestseller. As they do not take reservations, they might be a wait especially on the weekend.

Food Guide New York

Oxalis (Prospect Park)

 

Food Guide New York

We hope you find your way out of Manhattan at least once or twice. When the weather is good, you should head over to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. It’s the better Central Park! While strolling around Brooklyn Botanic Garden or Prospect Park Zoo you might get hungry. On weekends, brunch is the national sport of many New Yorkers. A great brunch option in this part of Brooklyn is Oxalis. By definition a neighborhood bistro, chef Nico Russell already earned a Michelin star in Oxalis’s first year. It’s a beautiful place with a light-flooded bar space and intimate seating. Their 30-Dollar-brunch-menu offers great value for money and some very visually pleasing and flavorful dishes. The same can probably be said about the “Carte blanche” dinner menu (70 Dollars per person). We definitely have to come back for that experience!

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

Sunday in Brooklyn (Williamsburg)

 

Food Guide New York

Despite its name we would recommend this Williamsburg all-day café/restaurant not for a Sunday brunch unless you are willing to wait an hour or more for a table. During the week it’s stress-free to brunch here. Yes, they offer brunch also from Monday to Friday starting at 10 AM! Sunday in Brooklyn are famous for their pancakes with hazelnut maple praline and brown butter. So if you have a sweet tooth, you don’t have to think twice about your order. Otherwise you might opt for the spicy “Eggs in Purgatory”, the biscuits & gravy or the classic cheddar scramble with some bacon. When the weather is good, grab a table outside for some people watching. As you are in Williamsburg, there’s probably no better entertainment.

Food Guide New York

Eisenberg’s (Flatiron District)

 

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

When you have been in business for over 90 years, you probably know a thing or two. Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop located right next to the famous Flatiron building is another NYC landmark – for many good reasons. Since 1929 they serve high-cholesterol Jewish deli-style food without any pretense. They managed to preserve the old-school charm of a classic American diner/deli. The portions are generous and more than delicious. If you are looking for a gluten-free option or a low-carb breakfast, look elsewhere. Eisenberg’s sticks to its promise of “feeding New York” on “high cholesterol”. Breakfast is served all day as it should be. Classic Jewish-diner fare include their famous Reuben sandwich, the chopped liver or the challah French toast. All of Eisenberg’s food will warm your belly and your soul. This is a cash only place.

Michaeli Bakery (Lower East Side)

 

Food Guide New York

We are in love with Israeli/Jewish pastries like babkas, rugalachs or challah bread. For all this sweet treats Michaeli Bakery is our new favorite place on Lower East Side. Freshly baked every day by chef Adir Michaeli and his team the sweet and savory pastries of this cute bakery near Manhattan Bridge make people happy. It’s as simple as that! They also make some vegan pastries that taste as good as the rest of Michaeli Bakery’s baked goods. In either case – vegan or not – grab your breakfast and coffee. After that you are ready to explore this beautiful city. And instead of buying some silly, overpriced souvenirs get their cookies for your loved ones at home!

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

 

Lunch & Dinner

 

Dante (West Village)

 

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

We are wondering what’s not to love about Dante. Dante would also be a good entry to the “All Day” section as the café/bar/restaurant near Washington Square Park provides great Italian food and drinks from all-mornings to late in the evening. The bar with their first-class selection of aperitivo drinks earned the top spot on last years “World’s 50 Best Bars” list. Therefore, you can also find Dante in our first NYC Bar Guide. But also when it comes to food this place won’t disappoint even your most skeptical Italian friends. The salumi misti platter is excellent and worth every dollar. At Dante all pasta is hand- and house-made. For your little slice of Italy in New York go to Dante and avoid the tourist traps of fake “Little Italy”.

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

Crown Shy (Financial District)

 

Food Guide New York

Honestly the Financial District is not among our favorite areas. During the day, brokers, bank employees and tourists populate the streets and at night the scenery becomes nearly deserted – anonymous and cold. But lately there’s a damn good reason to reconsider. The reason is called Crown Shy. Situated in an impressive Art déco building on Pine Street the elegant, yet cosy restaurant is the first solo project of famous NYC chef James Kent (ex-NoMad) and restaurateur Jeff Katz. The stunning design of the place with its high ceilings, big windows and marmoreal floors becomes the stage for an elaborate fine dining experience without any pretentious affectation. You can spot a picture of Biggie right next to the open kitchen and all of the staff – including chef James – wearing pretty good kicks. The menu draws inspiration from New York’s diversity, European techniques and childhood memories. Every plate was an explosion of different flavors and textures with the roasted short rib as the standout dish. Make sure that you leave some room for dessert as the creations by pastry chef Renata Ameni live up to the hype. We will take a closer look at Crown Shy’s high-class cocktail menu in our next bar guide.

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

Llama Inn (Williamsburg)

 

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

Llamas are somehow strange animals. Initially they look cute but they can also become a little dangerous if they try to defend themselves. You can google it if you want! When a restaurant calls itself Llama Inn, it piques our curiosity. This place in North Williamsburg is well worth a visit and – unlike the llama – not dangerous at all. Instead, you will have a good time, lots of great food and in the end probably a new culinary favorite. Just try to be a little adventurous and don’t get scared by beef hearts with broccoli and burrata or clams with turmeric and carrots. All plates of the Peruvian-inspired menu are meant to be shared. Start with some skewers and a ceviche. After that you will forget all reservation and crave more food. Llama Inn’s cross-over cuisine is full of flavors and highly addictive. We usually opt for a seat at the kitchen counter from where you get interesting insights into the work routine of the kitchen staff. There is also a Llama San restaurant in the West Village with a little different agenda. It offers fine dining and a very unique Omakase experience (145 Dollars).

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

Contra (Lower East Side)

 

Food Guide New York

When someone asks us for a fine dining restaurant in NYC, we don’t hesitate to recommend Contra. This place on Orchard Street never disappoints. It offers a 89 Dollar tasting menu in a very laid-back, almost casual setting. Forget all the pretentious bullshit of other fine dining restaurants. Contra gets it all right – the food, the atmosphere, the impeccable service. And we have to mention their playlist with our favorite bands The National and Foals on heavy rotation. What else can you ask for? Also, the dishes not only look great, they taste even better. Something like “fresh tofu” that initially might sound trivial, becomes a highlight at Contra. The same thing could be said about their desserts that easily exceed our already high expectations. There is also a vegetarian option and a three course menu at the bar available on a first come, first serve basis. Mexican-born chef Fabián von Hauske Valtierra and his co-partner Jeremiah Stone are not only behind Contra’s Michelin star rated cuisine, the duo also operates the casual wine bar Wildair (next door to Contra) and the recently opened People’s Wine shop & bar on Delancey Street. Despite their youth they already have a big impact on how New York nowadays defines fine dining.

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

Clover Club (Cobble Hill)

 

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

This is a food guide. Nevertheless, we mention this great Brooklyn bar that is also an excellent dinner spot. Its cocktail menu made Clover Club famous. But with all the praise for their drinks and spirits selection, sometimes their food is forgotten. We want to put Clover Club’s food in the spotlight. Order their prime beef burger medium rare. It’s all we ever wanted from a burger and more. The patty is juicy, tasty and together with their house-made avocado ranch it’s simply a winning combo. Enjoy the neighborhood vibes at Clover Club and of course get some cocktails!

Hart’s (Bedford-Stuyvesant)

 

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

In the heart of Brooklyn, you will find a small, intimate and very cute neighborhood restaurant called Hart’s. And when we say small, we mean really small. There are only a couple of tables and some seats at the bar. Reservations are therefore highly encouraged. This is a perfect date spot off the beaten path (but the subway from Manhattan is literally just two steps away). Whether you come around for a romantic dinner or primarily for the food, in either case Hart’s will take good care of you. The plates are all perfectly prepared, made from fresh ingredients and very tasty. Overall, Hart’s offers really good value for money. For a welcome twist on the sometimes dull “burger game”, order their grass-fed lamb burger with some marinated anchovies. Wine lovers will also be quite happy.

Cosme (Flatiron District)

 

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

Things can get tricky at Cosme and with things we mean reservations. Tables go faster than some hypebeast kicks. If you overcome that obstacle, you can finally enjoy a truly remarkable dinner experience. Cosme marks the first US outpost of Mexican chef Enrique Olvera. His much acclaimed fine-dining restaurant Pujol in Mexico City can be found in almost all of the world’s best restaurant rankings. With Cosme, Olvera and his business partner Daniela Soto-Innes bring the idea of modern Mexican-inspired cuisine to the Flatiron District. You better unlearn everything you might know about Mexican food. Cosme is for sure on another level! Even if some dishes sound familiar like the “fluke tostada” or the “tataki al pastor”, the simple descriptions of Cosme’s highly ambitious menu don’t do justice to the explosion of flavors that will knock your socks off. The crispy and juicy duck carnitas are probably their standout dish. Be prepared to spend a big amount of money, but the overall experience is worth its heavy price. Their bar program is excellent as well.

 

All Day

 

Post (East Village)

 

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

A little tucked away in the East Village this all-day spot on Avenue B could easily become your best companion. In the morning they serve breakfast (brunch on the weekends), later lunch and of course dinner at night – 7 days a week. It’s a very small place with only a couple of counter seats, some tables and many lovely details. Did you notice the phone? It reminds us of LA’s Freedman’s. At Post you must order the biscuits. You can eat them plain with some butter and jelly, with different meat and vegetarian options or with gravy. They also have a vegan option – this is the East Village after all.

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

Russ & Daughters Café (Lower East Side)

 

Food Guide New York

To a New Yorker Russ & Daughters needs no introduction. It’s more than a staple, it’s a true institution of Jewish deli traditions. While the shop located on East Houston Street has been there for more than a century (!), the intimate, likeable calm and incredibly homely café on Orchard Street offers excellent Jewish food from early mornings until late in the evening. You can’t have a meal here without a bagel and some of their house-smoked fish. The little pickled herring bites on pumpernickel or their chopped salad with whitefish are as satisfying as most of their breakfast dishes. Their Egg Benedicts come on house-baked challah bread. To die for! While other restaurants come and go, Russ & Daughters are here to stay. And that’s a damn good thing!

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

Veselka (East Village)

 

Food Guide New York-108 Food Guide New York-107

The things said about Russ & Daughters can equally be said about this East Village gem. Veselka is another staple and a constant companion during all of our New York trips. Established in1954 this cozy place offers Ukrainian soul food and East European specialties like pierogis, borscht, bigos (a delicious stew), kielbasa sausages or goulash. Despite the filling portions make sure to leave some room for their award-winning blintzes – a Ukrainian-style crepe filled with farmer’s cheese. Did we mention the pies? Veselka is open 24 hours on 365 days a year. You can have breakfast, lunch, dinner or a late-late-late-night meal here. Every meal is more than satisfying and every visit a treat for your soul.

Café Habana (Nolita)

 

Food Guide New York

Get your daily dose of Caribbean sunshine at this Cuban diner in the heart of Nolita. We can’t tell you how many times we had breakfast, lunch or just a quick bite here. The original Café Habana on Prince Street is now in business for over 20 years and – you might add – for many good reasons. The Cuban-inspired food like the classic huevos rancheros or their famous Cuban sandwich with marinated roast pork will warm up your belly. The menu offers not only good value but also many mouth-watering choices for every time of the day from quesadillas to salads and taco dishes.

Food Guide New York

Spiegel (East Village)

 

Food Guide New York

Sometimes all you need is a place you want to be with your friends. By chance this is the tag line of a small all-day place in the East Village called Spiegel. It became our favorite breakfast spot during our last trip to NYC. You may ask why? First and foremost, there’s the food. The Israeli style breakfast options like the spicy Shakshuka with some Merguez or the hummus with fresh-baked pita are the perfect soul food (or a pretty good hangover cure in case you need it). They only use organic eggs and fresh ingredients. For dinner you can have a great burger, the schnitzel plate or a delicious knockwurst sandwich with sauerkraut. We also love the casual vibe of Spiegel, their honest approach to hospitality and the bright, light-filled space. Forget all the trendy, instagrammable wannabes. This is the real New York!

Food Guide New York

Bar Pisellino (West Village)

 

Food Guide New York

Rita Sodi and Judy Williams are two of New York’s most successful and respected figures in hospitality. With three restaurants (Via Carota, I Sodi, Buvette) in the heart of the West Village and this wonderful Italian aperitivo bar they left a big footprint on the city’s culinary map. Although Bar Pisellino opened its doors in 2019 for the first time, it looks indeed like an old and very classy piece of Italy. The elegant marble counter together with the wooden interior and the small floor tiles blend into a Mediterranean beauty. From early mornings to late nights people gather inside or on the sidewalk with an espresso, an amari cocktail or some small bites like a panini or spuntini. The cocktails – overseen by Dante’s former head bartender Stacey Swenson – are authentic and way better than in most bars in Italy. When the weather is good, the seats outside are perfect for people watching. We suggest making your round and head over to Via Carota for dinner and more great Italian food. While you probably have to wait for a table (they don’t take reservations so come early), you can enjoy Bar Pisellinos distinctive ambience and aperitivo art.

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

Yonah Shimmel’s Knish (Lower East Side)

 

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

A food list of NYC without Yonah Shimmel? Impossible! This place on Houston Street is genuine New York, doing business since 1910 (!). Needless to say, it plays an important part in the city’s food culture. The Jewish restaurant – or should we say bakery, not really sure – does knish. This is a very traditional Jewish snack made of mashed potatoes or cheese. Different fillings like spinach, kasha (buckwheat) and mushrooms can be added. The cheese knish with chocolate, apples or cherries are a very yummy sweet snack. You probably didn’t know that “a knish a day keeps the doctor away”. No fake news here!

 

Cafés

 

Food Guide New York

New York has seen a steady rise of great independent cafés and coffee roasting facilities during the last 5 to 10 years. With regard to quality and sustainability many of these small businesses helped to improve the overall coffee experience and café culture in the city. There is really no need to get your daily caffeine fix at one of the big, interchangeable café chains. We encourage you to look out for the local coffee guys. Here are some of our favorite spots with a clear bias towards Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn/Williamsburg:

Saltwater Coffee (East Village)

Food Guide New York Food Guide New York

Happy Bones (Nolita)

Urban Backyard (Nolita)

Caffè Vita (Lower East Side)

Ludlow Coffee Supply (Lower East Side)

Kodawari Coffee (Lower East Side)

Sey Coffee (Bushwick)

Stumptown Coffee Roasters (West Village)

Café Grumpy (Williamsburg, Chelsea, Lower East Side)

Everyman Espresso (East Village)

Devocion (Williamsburg, Flat Iron)

Café Beit (Williamsburg)

Birch Coffee (West Village)

Sweatshop (Williamsburg)

If you’re looking for bar recommendations, check our NYC Bar Guide Part 1. A sequel with more great bars is coming soon!

04 Mrz

Posted at 16:58h in Around the world

Eigentlich bräuchte man für New York mindestens ein halbes Dutzend Shopping Guides und zwar für jeden Stadtteil einen. Allein in Brooklyn auf der Fulton Street reiht sich ein Sportswear-/Sneaker-Store an den nächsten. Weil das aber jeden Blogpost sprengen würde, haben wir mal eine Auswahl getroffen und unsere Favoriten zusammengestellt. Dabei dürfen auch die üblichen Verdächtigen nicht fehlen. Wir werden diese Liste in Zukunft sicherlich erweitern und so manche Neuentdeckung darin aufnehmen. Ansonsten wünschen wir Euch nun viel Spaß zunächst mit dem Guide, dann beim Shoppen und Geld ausgeben!

****

Extra Butter (125 Orchard St, Lower East Side)

Seit inzwischen 10 Jahren sind Extra Butter ein fester Bestandteil der Sneaker-Community New Yorks. Ihr neu designter Store in de Lower East Side verbindet auf sehr stylische Art Extra Butters Wurzeln in der Sneaker-, Streetwear und Popkultur. Regelmäßig veranstaltet die EB-Crew hier Filmabende und besondere Events. Gleich nebenan befindet sich ein Pop-up-Shop mit wechselnden Themen. Extra Butter besitzen die besten Accounts, sind ein gern gesehener Collabo-Partner und eine der einflussreichsten Sneaker-Boutiquen überhaupt. Wir legen Euch unseren ausführlichen Store-Guide ans Herz und unser Interview mit Kreativchef Bernie Gross.

Store Guide Extra Butter-20 Store Guide Extra Butter-6

Kith (337 Lafayette St, Nolita & Brooklyn)

Das Imperium des Ronnie Fieg residiert seit kurzem an einer neuen Adresse nur wenige Gehminuten von der alten Kith-Location in der Bleecker Street. Die Lafayette-Street dürfte allen Supreme-Jüngern ohnehin bekannt sein. Auf nunmehr 3 Etagen zeigt der neue Store die ganze Kith-Welt: Angefangen von den Sneakers, dem Apparel-Bereich mit Fiegs eigenen Designs, Hype-Labels wie Off-White und Aimé Leon Dore, einer Kith Woman-Section sowie der süßen Versuchung namens Kith Treats. Man nimmt den Aufzug und fährt am besten von Etage zu Etage. Die Gefahr, hier etwas zu kaufen, was man schon immer haben wollte, ist doch recht groß. Nicht vergessen wollen wir die Brooklyn-Location.

Shopping Guide NYC-8 Shopping Guide NYC-6 Shopping Guide NYC-5

Alife (158 Rivington St, Lower East Side)

Ähnlich wie Reed Space und Supreme gehören Alife zu den alteingesessenen Adressen der New Yorker Sneaker- und Streetwear-Szene. Fast könnte man sie als Veteranen bezeichnen. Ihr versteckter Shop in der Lower East Side (das Klingeln nicht vergessen) ist dann auch mehr Showroom und Sneaker Club. Ums Verkaufen geht es hier jedenfalls nur in zweiter Linie. New York ohne Alife ist in etwa so unvorstellbar wie London ohne Foot Patrol oder LA ohne Undefeated.

Shopping Guide NYC

Supreme (274 Lafayette St & 152 Grand St, Nolita & Williamsburg)

Wir wollen Euch jetzt nicht Supreme vorstellen, keine Sorge! Es ist mehr eine Chronistenpflicht, bei einem Store-Guide zu New York, den ultimativen Hypebeast-Tempel zu erwähnen, von denen es inzwischen sogar zwei gibt. Der neue Supreme-Store liegt im hippen Williamsburg (wo sonst?) und ist ebenso spartanisch eingerichtet wie das alte Hauptgeschäft. Ein paar Klamotten, ein paar Decks an den Wänden, that’s it! Immerhin ist er doch deutlich größer und besitzt zudem ein für Skater interessantes Feature.

Shopping Guide NYC-16 Shopping Guide NYC-14 Shopping Guide NYC-15

Stadium Goods (47 Howard St, Soho)

Das Consignment-Business scheint ja die neue Goldgrube im Sneaker-Bereich zu sein. Zumindest verdienen Stadium Goods offenbar ziemlich gut. Vor ein paar Jahren fiel uns auf, dass die Preise mancher Kicks hier noch deutlich günstiger als bei der Konkurrenz waren. Das hat sich mittlerweile leider geändert. Ab und an kann man natürlich noch einen (vergleichsweise) günstigen Kauf machen. Oder man findet hier seinen Holy Grail und dann spielt Geld vermutlich keine Rolle. Was wir weiterhin mögen: Die Stadium Goods-Crew ist deutlich kundenfreundlicher als bei besagter Konkurrenz und der große Store nicht ganz so überlaufen.

Shopping Guide NYC-10 Shopping Guide NYC-11 Shopping Guide NYC-12

Flight Club (812 Broadway, Noho)

Kommen wir gleich zur besagter Konkurrenz. Flight Club haben ihren Store bereits vor einiger Zeit deutlich erweitert und umgebaut. Nun ist hier noch mehr Platz für alte und neue Schätze, Hype-Kicks und ansonsten überall ausverkaufter Releases. Hier lässt sich problemlos ein vierstelliger Betrag ausgeben, wenn man das denn kann und will. Am Wochenende sollte man einen großen Bogen um den Shop machen, denn dann tritt man sich hier fast auf die Füße. You name it, Flight Club got it! Nicht umsonst sind Flight Club die Nummer 1 im Consignment-Geschäft.

Shopping Guide NYC-48 Shopping Guide NYC-46

Bergdorf Goodman (754 5th Ave, Midtown)

Eine Kathedrale des Luxus sind Bergdorf Goldman unweit des Central Parks (und des Trump Towers, ok dafür können sie nichts). In den beiden Häusern, eines für die Damen und das andere für die Herren, finden sich praktisch alle wichtigen und einflussreichen Mode-Labels und Designer. In der ersten Etage des „Männer“-Bergdorf Goldman befindet sich die Streetwear-/Denim-Abteilung. Kollektionen von Raf Simons, Virgil Ablohs Off-White, Balenciaga warten hier auf zahlungskräftige Käufer. Auch Ronnie Fieg hat hier mit Kith einen Shop-in-Shop. Dort findet man mitunter sogar Styles aus Kollektionen, die in den normalen Kith-Stores schon längst ausverkauft sind.

Shopping Guide NYC-36

West NYC (147 W 72nd St, Upper West Side)

In einer Zeit, in der jeder Sneaker-Store mit aufwändigen Sneaker Shots und einem perfekten Social Media-Auftritt brillieren möchte, wirken West NYC wie aus der Zeit gefallen. Ganz offen geben sie zu, auf dieses ganze Instagram/Facebook-Ding keine Lust zu haben. Ihnen geht es um die Kicks und sonst nichts. Dabei sind sie authentisch und ehrlich. Ihr Store ist kein Design-Schmuckstück sondern ein Ort, wo sich echte Sneakerheads wohl fühlen dürfen. Niemand ist hier supercool. Manchmal stellen die Jungs sogar für ihre Stammkunden einen sehnsüchtig erwarteten Release mal eben eine Woche früher ins Regal (durften wir das jetzt überhaupt verraten?). New Yorks vielleicht sympathischster Sneaker-Store.

Shopping Guide NYC-38 Shopping Guide NYC-37

atmos (203 W 125th St, Harlem)

In einer Zeit, in der Sneaker-Boutiquen noch nicht darüber nachdachten, in andere Länder zu gehen, da waren atmos schon längst in Harlem. Ansonsten muss man diese japanische Sneaker-/Streetwear-Institution wohl kaum mehr vorstellen. Der recht kleine Store ist bei einem Rundgang durch Harlem sicherlich einen Besuch wert. Dass hier atmos-Collabs frühzeitig außerhalb Japans zu finden sind, ist ein großes Plus. Auch andere begehrte Releases sind bei atmos erhältlich.

Shopping Guide NYC-62 Shopping Guide NYC-63

NikeLab 21M (21 Mercer St, Soho)

Als die inoffizielle Sneaker-Hauptstadt der Welt besitzt New York selbstverständlich auch ein NikeLab. Der Store in der Mercer Street bietet genau das, was man erwarten darf: Die aktuellen NikeLab-Kollektionen aus Beaverton. Vor allem zu den bekannten Release-Zeiten am Donnerstag und Freitag geht es hier schon mal etwas hektischer zu. Bei den Sneakers kann man Glück oder Pech haben. Manchmal finden wir hier gleich mehrere Paare, manchmal verlassen wir auch enttäuscht den Laden. Mit etwas Glück steht hier aber noch ein online längst ausverkauftes Modell im Regal.

Shopping Guide NYC-41 Shopping Guide NYC-13

Stone Island (41 Greene St, Soho)

Die italienische Kultmarke, die seit einigen Jahren einen fast unheimlichen Hype erlebt, darf mit einem stylischen Shop in Sohos „Flagship-Store-Ghetto“ nicht fehlen. Über die Qualität der Stone Island-Kollektionen gibt es eigentlich keine zwei Meinungen. Die Preise sind bekanntlich ambitioniert und nichts für Schnäppchenjäger. Einzig über die sichtbare Inflationierung der Marke darf man sicher etwas genervt sein. Dies ist wohl der natürliche Lauf aller Hypes in der Fashionwelt.

Shopping Guide NYC-43

Nike Soho (529 Broadway, Soho)

Neben dem NikeLab in der Mercer Street residiert Nike mit all seinen Kollektionen und Sparten seit dem vergangenen Jahr auch in einem eindrucksvollen Flagship-Store am Broadway. Das fünfgeschossige (?) Gebäude gibt einen umfassenden Einblick in die Nike-Welt. Neben dem Lifestyle-Bereich kommen hier vor allem Läufer, Basketballer und Fußballer auf ihre Kosten. Ein umfangreiches Sortiment an Performance-Modellen, die man auch gleich vor Ort testen kann, Sportbekleidung, ein eigenes NikeiD-Studio und immer wieder Sonderaktionen wie ein Customizing-Workshop gehören zum Programm der neuen Soho-Location.

Shopping Guide NYC-50 Shopping Guide NYC-45

Round Two (113 Stanton St, Lower East Side)

Mit seinen Round Two-Stores in Virginia und LA sind Sean Wotherspoon und seine Kumpels schon lange dick im Geschäft (nicht vergessen sollte man ihre Shows). Der Schritt, auch in New York einen Store zu eröffnen, war eigentlich überfällig. Seit einigen Monaten hat das sympathische Round Two-Imperium in der Stanton Street seinen NYC-Stützpunkt aufgeschlagen. Und der scheint gleich bestens zu laufen. Auch wenn Round Two eigentlich ein klassisches Consignment-Geschäft betreiben – aktuelle und ältere Hype-Releases gehören wie selbstverständlich zum Inventar –, so findet man mit etwas Glück sogar ein echtes Schnäppchen. Falls Ihr gerade in der Stadt seid, solltet Ihr unbedingt dem Instagram-Account von Round Two NYC folgen. Dort werden die letzten Neuzugänge samt Preis und Größe vorgestellt (und dann heißt es eventuell schnell zu sein).

Shopping Guide NYC-2 Shopping Guide NYC-3

Mr. Throwback (437 E 9th St, East Village)

Wer wie wir in den 1990ern seine Jugend verbracht hat, der dürfte sich bei Mr. Throwback wie im Paradies vorkommen. Zumindest funktioniert der Store dann wie eine Zeitmaschine. Hier gibt es authentische Vintage-Styles, alte Original-Trikots, jede Menge Krimskrams und natürlich auch Sneakers. Besitzer Mike aka Mr. Throwback ist mit ganzer Leidenschaft und ganzem Einsatz bei der Sache. Ein Highlight sind die besonderen Mr. Throwback-Kollektionen (den Rachel-Hoodie mussten wir einfach mitnehmen). Wir werden Mr. Throwback auch noch einen eigenen Store-Guide widmen, versprochen!

Shopping Guide NYC-32 Shopping Guide NYC-33

Spark Pretty (333 E 9th St, East Village)

Das weibliche, quietschpinke Äquivalent zu Mr. Throwback nennt sich Spark Pretty. Der kleine Shop mit echten Vintage-Styles aus den 90ern liegt nur ein Block weiter die 9. Straße runter. Die Backstreet Boys, Alf und Kurt Cobain haben hier ein Auge auf die in Glitzer und Pink verliebte Kundschaft. Ein wechselndes Angebot an Klamotten und Accessoires sorgen für ordentliche Nostalgie-Flashbacks und das sogar für ein vergleichsweise kleines Budget. Das Stöbern lohnt sich (und danach kann man gleich zu Big Gay Ice Cream weiterziehen)!

Shopping Guide NYC-35

Monocle Shop (535 Hudson St, Greenwich Village)

Bekannt sind Monocle vor allem für ihre eigentlich immer sehr interessanten Magazine und Reiseführer. In ausgewählten Metropolen betreibt der Verlag aber auch kleine Shops. New York gehört selbstverständlich dazu. Im Store auf der Hudson Street findet man natürlich die Monocle-Publikationen, dazu eine feine Auswahl an Home Goods sowie mehr oder weniger nützliche Reise-Goodies. Auch als Mitbringsel eignet sich so manches aus dem Monocle-Shop.

Shopping Guide NYC Shopping Guide NYC

Totokaelo (190 Bowery, Nolita)

Minimalismus meets Fashion. Damit ist eigentlich schon alles über den neuen Store von Totokaelo gesagt. Die Fashion-Boutique von der Westküste führt exklusive Brands und Kollektionen von Comme des Garcons, Dries Van Noten, Junya Watanabe, Rick Owens, Issey Miyake, OAMC, Y-3, A.P.C. und Thom Browne um nur einige zu nennen. Bereits das cleane Store-Design ist ein echter Hingucker. Hier lässt es sich entspannt shoppen, vorausgesetzt die Urlaubskasse hat nichts dagegen.

Shopping Guide NYC-27

Sneakersnstuff (22 Little W 12th St, Chelsea)

Unsere Lieblingsschweden Erik und Peter haben ihren Traum eines Stores in New York endlich in die Realität umgesetzt. Damit breitet sich das SNS-Netzwerk weiter aus. Etwas abseits der üblichen Touristenwege (was wir gut finden) residieren SNS im trendigen Meatpacking District. Der Store bietet auch abseits des großen Sneaker- und Apparel-Sortiments viele Highlights wie den extra angefertigten Swoosh-Chair, die Möbel im Boost-Look oder den hinter Glas ausgestellten, zusammengefalteten Oldtimer. Ein großer SNS-Schriftzug auf dem Dach sorgt dafür, dass man bereits aus der Ferne auf die neue New Yorker-Residenz aufmerksam wird.

Shopping Guide NYC-31 Shopping Guide NYC-30 Shopping Guide NYC-29

Maison Kitsune (248 Lafayette St, Nolita)

Ein neues, perfekt durchgestyltes Domizil haben Maison Kitsune in New York bezogen. Ebenfalls auf der Lafayette Street, in unmittelbarer Nachbarschaft von Supreme und Kith, finden alle Freunde des Pariser Labels neben aktuellen Kollektionen auch einzelne „NYC exclusives“. Die klassischen, eleganten Entwürfe mit dem Fuchs treffen fast immer unseren Geschmack. Aber auch an Kitsune-Accessoires findet man bei uns so manches Stück im Kleiderschrank.

Shopping Guide NYC-39 Shopping Guide NYC-40

Opening Ceremony (35 Howard St, Soho)

Seinen Anfang nahm die Erfolgsstory von Opening Ceremony 2002 an der Ecke von Soho und Chinatown. Der New Yorker Store war der erste weltweit. Noch heute ist er das Aushängeschild des Labels, das unter seinem Dach neben der eigenen Marke zahlreiche Fashion- und Streetwear-Brands (u.a. Acne, Undercover, X-Girl, Alexander Wang und Maison Margiela) vereint. Regelmäßig findet hier im Untergeschoss ein Sale alter Kollektionen statt. Die Sneaker-Ecke ist dagegen eher übersichtlich und wie nicht anders zu erwarten recht fashion-lastig.

Shopping Guide NYC-9

Concepts (225 Hudson St, Soho)

Von Boston aus kamen Concepts schon Ende 2015 nach New York. Seitdem ist der Store in der Hudson Street regelmäßig Schauplatz besonderer Releases, Raffles und Sneaker-Events. Die Sneaker-Auswahl lässt eigentlich keine Wünsche übrig. Concepts bekommen dank ihrer Top-Accounts so ziemlich jeden Hype-Release und fast jede Collab. Komplettiert wird das Sortiment des minimalistisch eingerichteten Stores von einer feinen Apparel-Auswahl, darunter Brands wie CdG, Reigning Champ und A Bathing Ape.

Shopping Guide NYC-58 Shopping Guide NYC-57 Shopping Guide NYC-49

Dover Street Market (160 Lexington Ave, Midtown)

Spätestens nach dem Ende von Colette sind Dover Street Market für uns die unangefochtene Nummer 1 in der Präsentation von Fashion, Design und Streetwear. Kein anderer Store bietet ein vergleichbares Sortiment oder ein derart exklusives Einkaufserlebnis. Dabei spielt es eigentlich keine Rolle, ob man DSM in Tokio, London oder New York besucht. Für Sneakerheads gibt es eine Ecke mit NikeLab-Releases. Alle Brands aufzuzählen, die der New Yorker DSM-Store auf seinen sieben Etagen anbietet, würde diesen Shopping-Guide ganz sicher sprengen. Wer das Urlaubsbudget schonen will, lässt am besten die Kreditkarte zu Hause.

Shopping Guide NYC-64

History of New York (339 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains)

Nach einer Zugfahrt von knapp 40 Minuten erreicht man von Harlem aus das etwas verschlafene White Plains. Als Sneakerhead gibt es dort vor allem einen Grund, weshalb sich ein Ausflug lohnt. Und der heißt: History of New York. Das Design des Stores ragt ganz bestimmt aus der Masse heraus. Als Vorlage diente eine alte Bank samt Tresor (hinter dem sich besondere Schätze befinden) und einem wunderbar alten Schalterbereich. Wir legen Euch gerne unseren ausführlichen Store-Guide zu HNY ans Herz. Die HNY-Crew freut sich auf Euren Besuch (gerne könnt Ihr von uns Grüße ausrichten)!

Shopping Guide NYC-56 Shopping Guide NYC-55 Shopping Guide NYC-54

Bape (91 Greene St, Soho)

Der Hype um A Bathing Ape scheint ungebrochen. Als Beweis dienen die Schlangen an Release-Tagen vor dem Flagship-Store in Soho, auch wenn diese vielleicht nicht ganz so lang sein mögen wie die in Asien. Wir verzichten darauf, die Marke an dieser Stelle näher vorzustellen. Es ist schlichtweg nicht nötig (es sei denn man hat die letzten 10 Jahre auf dem Mond verbracht). Dass wir uns inzwischen etwas zu alt für viele der eher schrillen Bape-Entwürfe fühlen, geben wir offen zu. Und auf Schlange stehen, haben wir auch keine Lust mehr (unter der Woche ist ein Besuch dort deutlich entspannter).

Shopping Guide NYC-25

Y-3 (92 Greene St, Soho)

Gleich gegenüber von Bape befindet sich der New Yorker Y-3-Store. Das „Baby“ von Yohji Yamamoto bietet avantgardistische Streetwear mit deutlichen Fashion-Einflüssen. Japanischer Minimalismus und experimentelle Designs gehen bei Yamamoto Hand in Hand. Preislich liegen die Y-3-Entwürfe auf dem Niveau vergleichbarer Releases, was niemanden überraschen sollte. Die hier erhältlichen Sneaker, Apparel-Drops und Accessoires sollten jeden Y-3-Fan glücklich machen.

Shopping Guide NYC-26

Packer Shoes (941 Teaneck Rd, Teaneck)

Warum sollte man sich auf den Weg ins beschauliche Teaneck machen? Wir haben von dem Städtchen damals zugegeben wenig gesehen. Der einzige Grund für uns lautete: Packer Shoes. Auch wenn viele Packer nur als Sneaker-Boutique kennen, so reicht die Geschichte des Shops doch bereits über ein Jahrhundert zurück. 1907 gründete Max Packer die Packer-Dynastie. Heute gehören Urenkel Mike und sein Laden zu den ersten Adressen im globalen Turnschuh-Business. Viele ihrer Collabs sind legendär. Bei unserem nächsten Trip werden wir auch etwas die Nachbarschaft erkunden, versprochen!

Shopping Guide NYC-60 Shopping Guide NYC-61

Noah (195 Mulberry St, Soho)

Seitdem Brendon Babenzien vor knapp 3 Jahren Supreme verließ, um sein eigenes Brand Noah zu gründen, ist die Marke kontinuierlich gewachsen. Noah ist nicht bloß ein weiteres Apparel-Projekt. Babenzien und sein Team geht es vielmehr darum, neben Klamotten auch ein Bewusstsein zu verkaufen. Nachhaltigkeit, faire Produktionsbedingungen und das Beachten von Umweltstandards gehören zu Noahs unverzichtbaren Werten. Man stellt vegane Kleidung her und spendet einen Teil seiner Einnahmen an verschiedenen Kampagnen und Wohltätigkeitsinitiativen. Hier lässt sich guten Gewissens einkaufen.

Shopping Guide NYC-21 Shopping Guide NYC-22

Aimé Leon Dore (179 Mott St, Soho)

Weiterhin äußerst gefragt sind Aimé Leon Dore. Mit ihrer Mischung aus Casual-Streetwear und klassischen, minimalistischen Schnitten treffen die New Yorker genau unseren Geschmack. Auch die Qualität ihrer Apparel überzeugt immer wieder. Sehr wohl fühlen wir uns auch in ihrem 2017 eröffneten Concept Store, was vor allem an den vielen Details der Einrichtung liegt. Alte Turntables, Pflanzen, Jordans, die von der Decke hängen, und ein warmes Licht machen den Store zu einem echten Geheimtipp. Selbst wenn man einmal nichts kauft, lohnt ein Besuch. Auch was Sneaker angeht, ist die Aimé-Mannschaft immer bestens informiert.

Shopping Guide NYC-19 Shopping Guide NYC-20

Billionaire Boys Club (7 Mercer St, Soho)

In Sichtweite von Stadium Goods und NikeLab liegt der Flagship-Store von Pharrell Williams’ Fashion-Vehikel Billionaire Boys Club (BBC). Der von Snarkitecure aus Brooklyn designte Shop bietet neben den jeweils aktuellen BBC-Kollektionen auch viele weitere Brands wie Neighborhood, Medicom, Human Made und CdG Play. Nicht unerwähnt wollen wir die hier ebenfalls erhältlichen Yeezy-Releases lassen. So und nicht anders sieht dann wohl ein Hypebeast-Tempel aus.

Shopping Guide NYC-42 Shopping Guide NYC-44

Foot Locker Flagship Store (112 W 34th St, Midtown)

Seit dem Sommer 2016 hat Foot Locker seinem Flagship Store am Herald Square ein komplett neues Design verpasst. Mit seinen einzelnen Abteilungen wie der Foundation von adidas, dem PumaLab und einem eigenen House of Hoops ist das Angebot an Brands und Releases ziemlich umfangreich. Für die Ladies gibt es eine großzügige Women’s Corner und einen großen Apparel-Bereich. Limitierte Releases und besondere Events, bei dem nicht selten die Promis vorbeischauen, finden hier regelmäßig statt. Anschließend kann man noch beim weltgrößten Kaufhaus Macy’s auf der anderen Straßenseite vorbeischauen.

Shopping Guide NYC-51 Shopping Guide NYC-53

Grand Street Local (154 Grand St, Williamsburg)

Eine Schatzkammer für alle Vintage-Liebhaber sind Grand Street Local in der gleichnamigen Straße in Williamsburg (gleich neben Supreme). Der Shop bietet eine liebevoll zusammengestellte Auswahl von Vintage-Klamotten, Sneakers (vor allem Nike und Jordans), aber auch Home Accessoires und jede Menge Krimskrams. Manche Dinge sind sogar ein halbes Jahrhundert alt. Ob man hier etwas findet, ist natürlich wie immer bei solchen Shops Glückssache. Aber manchmal macht ja das Suchen mehr Spaß als das Finden.

Shopping Guide NYC-18 Shopping Guide NYC-17

Taschen Store (107 Greene St, Soho)

Wie man einen Buchladen „sexy“ machen kann, haben Taschen schon mehrfach bewiesen. Um die exklusiven Biografien, Bildbände und Sammlereditionen ist in den letzten Jahren ein regelrechter Kult entstanden. Die Liste der Ikonen und Weltstars, die bei Taschen verlegt worden sind, ist scheinbar endlos. Umso mehr freut uns diese Erfolgsstory, da Taschen ein Kölner Unternehmen ist. Auch der New Yorker Store mit seiner angeschlossenen Galerie ist wieder ein visuelles Highlight.

Shopping Guide NYC-23 Shopping Guide NYC-24

 

Assembly New York (170 Ludlow St, Lower East Side)

Bei Assembly ist jedes Brand und jeder Designer Teil eines größeren Gesamtkonzepts. Das steht für qualitativ hochwertige Mode und Designs, die sich an echter Handwerkskunst und weniger an kurzfristigen Trends orientieren. Seit 2008 haben Assembly ihren Store in der Ludlow Street. Man fühlt sich als New Yorker Label und doch weitet man den Blick in alle Welt, wo Gründer Greg Armas immer wieder neue Designer entdeckt und mit nach New York in seinen Shop nimmt.

Shopping Guide NYC-4

Myplasticheart (210 Forsyth St, Lower East Side)

So hätten wir uns damals unser Kinderzimmer gewünscht: Myplasticheart bieten asiatische Toys, Figuren und jede Menge Krimskrams von Pins bis Schlüsselanhänger. Man findet Marken wie Kidrobot, Medicom und Konatsuya mit ihren unterschiedlichen Serien und Editionen, limitierte Figuren und echte Sammlerstücke. Wer den Shop später nicht mit einem breiten Grinsen verlässt, ist wahrscheinlich schon tot.

Shopping Guide NYC