This delectable French patisserie is as good as any in France, and as expensive. It has been a West Chelsea staple since 1998, and recently relocated one block north to spacious new digs on 20th & 9th. I was delighted to find the uptown location with outside seating on 52nd & 10th. The cakes, tarts, […]
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Parrot of Eighth Avenue
I met Eddie, an Amazon parrot, on the bench outside Noah’s Bagels on 22nd and 8th. There were no free seats inside, so I cautiously took a seat on the bench and unwrapped my seeded bagel right next to him. I’d seen him around the neighborhood but had never bothered introducing myself since, well, I’m […]
Bourbon Coffee
Bourbon Arabica coffee has grown wild in Rwanda for over a century, and this is the first African retailer to bring this specialty to the U.S. Rwandan farmers collectively nurture and harvest beans from five regions, each with distinct soil and climates: Akagera, Kivu Lake, Kizi Rift, Muhazi and Virunga. Bourbon Coffee buys coffee […]
4 WTC, Ground Zero
4 WTC is the second skyscraper currently under construction at ground zero. It is expected to be completed in 2013. To date, the budget to rebuild the trade center area totals a whopping $24B, which includes infrastructure, retail space, subway stations, security centers, the memorial, the ferry terminal, the PATH transit hub and the […]
1 WTC, Ground Zero
I visited ground zero yesterday, the eve of the most horrible, memorable day in NYC history. I knew it would be hard if not impossible to go down today, since security would be increased and streets would be closed for the memorial ceremony. It’s always hard to visit the 16-acre area, which is now […]
Mercer Street Books and Records
Another Greenwich Village fixture, this NYU-centric used bookstore has a great stock of photography and art books, literature and vinyl. Remember vinyl? This is a deliciously old-fashioned bookstore with cramped shelves and stacks of overflowing inventory. It’s impossible not to lose yourself in here for a few hours. 206 Mercer St., New York, NY
Three Lives & Company, New York City
One of the last remaining independent bookstores and a Greenwich Village fixture, Three Lives is a living room/gathering spot/haven staffed with knowledgeable bookworms. Although the store has been enchanting the city since 1968, it has operated for 10 years under the helm of veteran bookseller and publishing house marketer Toby Cox, who bought the bookstore […]
Strand Bookstore
A New York institution since 1927 – no easy feat! When Strand Bookstore opened on Fourth Avenue, it was one of 48 bookstores on Book Row. Today, it is the only one remaining. 828 Broadway @ 12th Street, New York, NY
Alan’s Alley
This is one of the last remaining video stores in Manhattan. I love how the selections are arranged by actors and that everything from classic to obscure can be found on its crammed shelves. The staff is always happy to make recommendations. And, like many of the best independent fixtures in New York, there is […]
Billy’s Bakery
An enticing sugar scent wafts into the street, making it impossible bypass this 1940’s-style bakery. The cupcakes taste virtually identical to Magnolia’s – perfect. In addition to cupcakes such as buttercream, chocolate, red velvet and banana, Billy’s bakes a variety of cookies, cakes, pies, cheesecakes, muffins and loaves. Since 2003, Billy’s has been a fixture […]
