OCCUPATION: Founder of Rosie Pope Maternity and MomPrep. Star of Bravo’s Pregnant in Heels.
MY STYLE: It varies from sneakers and jeans to red carpet—I rarely dress somewhere in the middle! I’m always either with my kids at the park, or throwing paint around, or out with Daron at night, so there is no middle ground for me right now.
I LOVE NEW YORK BECAUSE: You can take a taxi anywhere!
Shake Shack
What started, quite literally, as a “shack” in Madison Square Garden—selling fresh ground burgers, fries, and more milkshake flavors that you can shake a straw at—is now one of New York’s most beloved fast food chains. Pick up your food to go, or dine in-house at one of Shake Shack’s many locations—the Theater District, Upper West Side, and Citi Field baseball stadium among them. On a steamy summer day, don’t be surprised if you have to wait at least an hour to get through the line, but do be surprised if the sundaes, fair trade coffee shake, and ever-popular “Concrete Jungle” (dense frozen custard with bananas and peanut butter) do not live up to your high expectations. Photo courtesy of Peter Mauss/Esto Photography.
Rosie Pope Maternity
Chances are, if you’ve had a baby in the last few years (or have watched a lot of Bravo TV, for that matter), you’ve heard of Rosie Pope. Not only is she the mega personality behind Bravo’s Pregnant in Heels, but she’s also the founder of MomPrep and the Rosie Pope maternity boutique on Manhattan’s Upper East Side—not to mention the creative mind behind her colorful, bump-flattering garments. And though her collection focuses on ready-to-wear basics (think comfy sweaters, floral tunics, and maxi skirts), Pope describes her popular line as “soup-to-nuts everything you need, from t-shirts to red carpet gowns.”
Crown
Crown’s dark dining room, partially illuminated with shaded table lamps, might seem from a time gone by, except that it’s also packed with regulars—who’ve made a habit of dining here in the relatively short time since it opened last fall. There’s nothing ironic about their expensive, conservative outfits, or the white dinner jackets worn by the servers, who tend to orders of classic dishes like Maine lobster, foie gras, caviar, and Muscovy duck for two. John DeLucie, perhaps most known as the man behind the $55 dish of macaroni and cheese at the Waverly Inn, presides over the kitchen, while pastry chef Heather Bertinetti manages the delicious desserts. Rosie Pope eats at Crown on date night with her husband, Daron.
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.
Soho House New York
This six-story hotel and club in Manhattan’s trendy Meatpacking District might be just the place for you…if you can get in. Like the original in London and its various outposts in fashionable hubs like West Hollywood and Miami Beach, it’s open only to members, many of whom occupy the higher echelons of the media, fashion, publishing, and art worlds (with a limited number of guest rooms available for the aspiring plebeian!). Inside, you’ll find a restaurant, bar, drawing room, cinema, and the famous heated rooftop pool, perfect for showing off your swimsuit on a sweltering day. Rosie Pope prefers to relax at the wonderful Cowshed Spa while her kids are otherwise engaged (and supervised) with fun children’s activities.