The Modern List Manhattan
Now that spring is officially in the air, there’s a few items on our to do list; get the cafe chairs back on the deck, stock up on Compari and… head to Manhattan. Yup, it’s time for us temperate climate North-Westerners to swoop in and take advantage of the low humidity and sunshine. A big thanks to all the New Yorkers that did the heavy lifting by braving another brutal east-coast winter and holding down the city. Team BUILD just returned from a quick trip where we tracked down the latest in modern architecture, design, art, food and culture. There’s some great finds that we think you’ll enjoy and many more on The Modern List Manhattan.
DINNER
While there’s a lot more design-grit popping up in Manhattan’s dinner scene (rough-sawn wood, raw concrete, etc) there’s a few slick interiors as well. We were relieved to find most of our favorite spots still keeping their heads above water and some new venues well on their way to becoming faves.
Marea, 240 Central Park South, 212.582.5100
Armani Ristorante, 717 5th ave (at 56th), 212.207.1902
I SODI, 105 Christopher St, 212.414.5774
Wright, The, 5th & 89th St, 212.427.5690
Co. 230 9th Ave, 212.243.1105
Dovetail, 103 W 77th St, 212.362.3800
Southgate, 154 Central Park S, 212 484 5120
Má Pêche, 15 W 56th St (near 5th Ave), 212.757.5878
LUNCH
Neighborhood gastro-pubs with smaller plates are as important as ever in NYC with most of us trying to save a few bucks without compromising our culinary standards.
Tia Pol, 205 10 Ave, 212-675-8805
Boqueria, 717 spring St (btwn W Broadway & Thompson), 212.343.4255
Shake Shack, 366 Columbus Ave (at 77th), 212.889.6600
Peep Japanese Noodles, 177 Prince St, 212.254.7337
HOTELS
We stayed at the ACE Hotel this time around which we covered in a previous TML; if you like fun, raw spaces that still have a deliberate design force behind them, the ACE is the smack-down. For more formal, slick lodging there’s been a few additions to hit the scene.
Distrikt Hotel, 342 W 40th, 646.831.6780
DRINKS | TRENDY
It is said that there are certain markets unaffected by a poor economy and NYC is doing a superb job of proving that alcohol sales are entirely independent of the Dow Jones. There’s a few new rooftop lounges popping up and you can hardly spill your martini without hitting a happy hour.
Bar Seven Five, 75 Wall St (at Water St in the Andaz Wall St Hotel)
Top of the Strand, 33 W 37th St (Strand Hotel) 212.448.1024
Covet, 137 E 55th St (near Lexington)
BUILDINGS
Rather than new and impressive towers, most of the spectacles lately are empty condo buildings and alarmingly large (and possibly permanent) holes in the ground. One project that lent some optimism was the Harmony Atrium – it’s bright, fresh and brilliant. It’s also open to the public during the day and hosts a lunch spot.
Harmony Atrium at Lincoln Center, btwn 62nd & 63rd, Williams & Tsein
GALLERIES
Many of the galleries in Chelsea involve questionable “art” and a stiff-suited, persnickety gentleman who’s usually sitting on a Corbu chair in the back room having the pages of a black leather-bound portfolio turned before him by a turtle-neck clad art-slave. Hit enough galleries and it simply becomes a predictable comfort. Which is why we were so surprised upon our entry to Axelle Fine Arts, right in the epicenter of all the art-fussiness. The paintings by Laurent Dauptain were inspiring, understandable and straight-forward to appreciate. While abstract in technique, it’s clearly the work of someone who has mastered painting. The owner, Bertrand, walked straight over to us, introduced himself and chatted with us for a bit. Stellar. It’s a new economy and a new paradigm and the Axelle Gallery is well on it’s way to making their competitors look like a bunch of ninnies.
Axelle Fine Arts, 535 W 25th St, 212.226.2262
Richard Meier Model Museum, 5-22 46th Ave Queens
MUSEUMS
We don’t spend much time at the Met but the current Bamboo show by Doug + Mike Starn on the rooftop is crazy fun. Go kick the tires on it later in the afternoon, enjoy the sunshine and have yourself a drink while overlooking central park.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 5th Ave & 82nd St
For behind the scenes action follow us on twitter, to track us around town follow us on Foursquare and to let us know what we missed hit that comments button.
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By Mobius, May 11, 2010 @ 2:05 pm
I’ve been using the modern list on my iPhone when I visit NYC and it’s very handy. You guys should consider making an app out of it.
By Richter, May 11, 2010 @ 2:05 pm
Cool stuff, thanks guys. Really like the bamboo on the met.
By Gus, May 11, 2010 @ 4:42 pm
Looks like you guys had a productive trip. Thanks for the scoop.
By Nicholas Williams, May 11, 2010 @ 5:18 pm
man where do you guys get the time to travel to all these luxurious locations?….jealous!
BTW I just started a blog for the railYARD….nothing as intense as this is of course….but it’s a start.
To visit just go to:
http://www.railyard.tumblr.com
By Marie @ M2JL STUDIO, May 11, 2010 @ 7:05 pm
I just love these stairs on the second picture!
By mitch, May 12, 2010 @ 8:06 am
I second Nicholas’ remarks, you guys are all over the place these days.
I’d only add a bar called Larry Lawrence in Williamsburg
http://www.larrylawrencebar.com
A bit hard to find, but a low key hidden gem of modernism off the beaten path of Bedford Ave.
By Maureen Russell, May 12, 2010 @ 8:07 am
Great post. Do you take these pictures? Or use Flickr?
By Build LLC, May 12, 2010 @ 8:40 am
@ Nicholas & Mitch -we tie our trips into as much business as we can which makes them more efficient.
@ Nicholas -The blog looks good Nicholas, we’ll be keeping an eye on it.
@ Mitch -Larry Lawrence looks cool, raw and modern, thanks for the tip.
@ Maureen – we try and use the establishments website first.
By Kelly, May 12, 2010 @ 1:47 pm
I’ve never heard of the Richard Meier Museum – thanks for getting that on MY radar!
By Erik Niemann, May 12, 2010 @ 10:21 pm
Fantastic photos! Love the Bar Seven Five background!
By Samuel, May 13, 2010 @ 6:50 am
Just when I thought the era of extravagance was ending, Manhattan keeps right on plugging along. I suppose that the future still holds great promise and some continue to boldly embrace that.