Our intrepid explorer Sabine Koch heads to New York and tells us a few of her favourite haunts.
Rest and Relaxation
Check this place out. Who dares to enter? Well I do, since this particular parlour was a tip from a friend.
Well, I’m among good company – Brooke Shields, Elijah Woods, heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, and Oscar Best Actor Adrien Brody have all enjoyed the services here. www.greatchinesemassage.com
Bars and Cafes
Cowgirl is a cute little bar and restaurant in Hudson Street where you should make good use of the happy hour. The Summit Bar in East Village is understated with a twist on traditional cocktails.
For a yummy breakfast try Jack’s Wife Freda in Soho at 224 Lafayette St, New York.
For me, one of the ultimate food experiences here is the New York strip steak.
It doesn’t get any better than Keens, one of the oldest steakhouses in the city, since 1885. Founded first as a Gentlemen’s club, the interior is wonderfully old-fashioned. There might be more hip steakhouses in New York, but this is the real deal, with an adjoining bar, a competent staff and even a little bit of fun in the presentation.
Another of my favourite eateries is Luke’s Lobster in the East Village. Oh how I LOVE those lobster rolls. It might not look impressive, but it tastes amazing.
Nightlife
At the relaxed Pegu Club the barkeeper will get you anything you want including peace. It’s good-looking club and a great sounding one. The music is played at the just right volume and the acoustics of the room really make it possible to have a conversation. It is cool enough for a younger crowd, but more “experienced” guests will appreciate these levels.
The Blue Bar in the Algonquin Hotel never tires of making an impression.
Blue in the best sense of the word is the Blue Note where I listened to Kenny Werner Quintet Blue Note and witnessed the wonderful Kazunori Kumagai for a late night groove, tap dancing, jazz in front of an mesmerized audience. I wouldn’t have thought that “feet” is an instrument, but there you go – only in New York.
Movies
I work in the film industry so movies are my life. In New York you’re spoiled – be it the IFC (http://www.ifccenter.com/) the Film Forum (http://filmforum.org/) or the Angelika (https://www.angelikafilmcenter.com/nyc) you can see a good current film or classic any time of the day.
Free Things
Highline is one of the best things you can do for free in New York. Even though it is not exactly tranquil – every day thousands of people make their way over this elevated old railroad turned into a park, but the views and interesting perspectives make up for this very easily.
Cultural
One of the great museums the city has to offer is the Whitney, you’ll need to eat so stop for some lunch at the Gansevoort market, a historic site but nowadays the place where you can have the food-world at your lips. The recent one I saw – “America is Hard To See” and they were right. It was a bit overwhelming. Mark Rothko, Chuck Close, Nam June Paik, the list goes on and on.
For a break, just step on the panoramic balconies on every level of the Whitney to enjoy some sun, some wind and some other visual stimulus.
Meeting People
New York can be so great for meeting people. Out for my breakfast and sitting in the garden patio of the Hudson Clearwater Restaurant I met a “mature” Lady, who followed my invitation to join me at my table, the only one getting any sun. We chatted for an hour and Barbara gave me some insights into the city, her life experiences and afterwards showed me around her neighbourhood culminating in the visit of the garden of St. Luke in the Fields, a tranquil spot in the madness of New York, where you can have a nice walk and watch nature around you or sit on one of the benches for a reading session – how I love getting to know spots and things the average tourist hardly ever sees.
Go on, take a bite out of the Big Apple.
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