OCCUPATION: Chief Creative Officer of Stella & Dot
MY STYLE: A mix of boho chic and classic
I LOVE NEW YORK BECAUSE: There’s Washington Square Park, Citibabes, and everything is walkable! We also go to Sag Harbor for the Children’s Museum of the East End, and Goat on the Boat puppet shows! It’s a great community, and the streets are flat enough for easy scootering and biking.
Little Owl
Despite Little Owl’s ever-changing seasonal specialties, never fear—you can get the specialty pork chop (voted best in town by New York magazine) year round. Though the Mediterranean-meets-American Nouveau dishes sometimes veer into the “comfort food” category (think cheesy risotto and gravy meatball sliders), the food retains enough elegance for a business lunch, and enough innovation for a foodie’s delight. “It’s also great for brunch or date night,” says Blythe Harris.
Otte
Rag & Bone, 3.1 Philip Lim, and Thakoon Addiction all under one roof? We say, take us there! Each of the four Manhattan locations (Greenwich Village, Upper East Side, Tribeca, and Madison Ave), miraculously reflects the style and vibe of its surrounding neighborhood but—location aside—you can be sure to find quality essentials, tons of denim, and a hint of the unexpected. “They carry lots of French brands and unique designers,” notes Blythe Harris.
Jack’s Coffee
Serving up organic, fair trade coffee with fresh Hudson Valley milk (not to mention freshly baked cookies and pastries), Jack’s will give you a solid pick-me-up each and every time. We love the house speciality, stir-rewed coffee with a homemade Oreo. “Truly a locals vibe; you see the same faces every time!” says Blythe Harris. “Plus, it’s next to a fire station, so the kids can check out the trucks while you sip your coffee.”
Morandi
This cute, cozy spot from restaurateur Keith McNally (of Balthazar and Pastis fame) embodies plenty of old world charm—think 150-year-old floor tiles and distressed wood. “No matter how many kids you have in tow, they always smile when you walk in!” says Blythe Harris. The whole family will love the meatballs with pine nuts and raisins, and fried artichoke with lemon.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
“The Met” is not only the country’s largest museum, but also the most encyclopedic, as its collection covers everything from Ancient Greek sculpture to contemporary installation work. Michelle Smith recommends tackling the massive museum( which has over two million square feet) in smaller sections. “During fall and winter months, I’m here with my kids every weekend,” she says. “Even if it’s just for an hour!”
Photo courtesy of: Sean Pavone Photo/Shutterstock.com
Crosby Street Hotel
On one of the last peaceful and cobbled streets of Soho sits a New York hotel with a British twist. “I love the mix of English traditional with contemporary edge,” says Kelly Florio Kasouf. Despite the relative quietude of this particular stretch of Crosby Street, the hotel is in the heart of one of the best shopping districts in town. Stop in for a drink or a bite after visiting your favorite stores. There’s also a state-of-the-art screening room, complete with 3D technology, that hosts great events with old movies.