OCCUPATION: Executive Vice President of Development and Acquisition, Trump Organization
MY STYLE: Personal style is best described as carrying yourself elegantly. It is the ability to walk into any situation with a strong sense of confidence, and to know you’re in control.
I LOVE NEW YORK BECAUSE: There’s something about New York. The energy and culture is unlike any other; it’s indescribable. I was born and raised here, and could not imagine living anywhere else.
Casa Lever
Gordon Bunshaft’s perfectly sleek Lever House was looking for a restaurant to call its own. Lever House restaurant closed in 2009, but Casa Lever opened the same year and struck the perfect Park Avenue note, which former New York Times restaurant critic Sam Sifton described as “deeply likable” and “very New York.” It was high praise heard ‘round the Upper East Side, judging from the looks of the patrons. Businesspeople, socialites, and everyday lovers of veal Milanese pile into the cavernous booths and look out on numerous Warhol prints. Back in the kitchen, Mario Danieli presides over a team of mostly Italian-born chefs that serves up classic dishes like black squid ink risotto and fried eggplant. If you’d like just a taste, order some small plates at the outdoor lounge (opened May through October); the tables are covered, so spring showers won’t threaten to your enjoyment. Photo courtesy of: Whitney Cox/Casa Lever
Trump Soho
The Trump name has long been synonymous with opulence, indulgence, and impeccable taste, and the family’s Soho hotel is no exception. Sweeping views of lower Manhattan delight guests of the 46-story Trump Soho, which offers them nanny and pet services, personalized stationary, and special treatment in several of the neighborhood’s boutiques (including Diane Von Furstenburg, La Perla and, of course, Ivanka Trump Collection). But we think the highlight of the hotel is its spa, to which Ivanka gave her own special touch. Inspired by her travels, the designer added Moroccan and Turkish Hammam treatments to the menu, as well as ayurvedic therapies for those who wish to stray from the Swedish variety. For those who don’t, the Trump’s signature treatments—including the Balancing Diamonds Massage—are also available.
MoMA
What to say about this New York institution founded in 1929 by Abby Aldrich Rockefeller and friends? Perhaps that it’s the preeminent museum of modern art in the world. Even non-art buffs will recognize plenty, as the building’s five floors are filled with iconic works by Modern and Contemporary Art masters: Dalí, van Gogh, Warhol, Picasso, Matisse, Lichtenstein, de Kooning, Munch, Rousseau, Chagall, Mondrian, Monet, Cézanne, Pollock, Wyeth, Kahlo…the list goes on. The relatively pricey admission fee of $25 is waived Friday nights, which makes the museum especially crowded. For something a bit more leisurely, bring the paper and sit in the lovely sculpture garden. It may be the best place to admire Yoshio Taniguchi’s structure, which is impressive and, yes, very modern. Photo courtesy of: Timothy Hursley/MoMA
Bergdorf Goodman
The Bergdorf Goodman legacy traces back to 1899, when French immigrant Herman Bergdorf opened his tailor shop just north of Union Square. Fifteen years later, his apprentice Edwin Goodman became the first couturier to offer a ready-to-wear line, and the rest is fashion history. Today, the Midtown East department store offers a wealth of designer collections, as well as three restaurants, a bridal salon, and the esteemed John Barrett Salon. And don’t miss a walk through the children’s department, which boasts Gucci diaper bags, Burberry swimsuits, Bugaboo strollers, and other luxuries for the little one.
Central Park
Built in 1980, Central Park has long been a go-to for New Yorkers in need of a little nature, and Jules Reid’s sons especially love the park’s playgrounds (there are 21!). Other activities like model boat sailing, bicycling, chess, and even bird-watching make the 842-acre park an obvious choice for children and adults alike, and moms in particular will appreciate the recent arrival of Le Pain Quotidien. Located at the Mineral Springs Pavilion, the beloved boulangerie provides the perfect post-play pick-me-up.