We recently returned from Manhattan and we’ve got a ton of cool places to get on the BUILDblog. The fine folks over at Brizo are responsible for our latest New York adventure and you can see more about the nature of the trip here. Fashion Week is an exciting time to visit NYC and while the venues are filled with an exciting, well dressed clientele, they are also challenging to get into. Our advice; put your good duds on, go early and walk in like you own the joint.
FOOD
Eataly, 200 5th Ave, 646.398.5100
Mario Batali’s latest venture is a really, really nice cafeteria filled with hand-crafted foods, modern design and extremely cool people. We visited on its 4th day of being open and it was a zoo, but fascinating and delicious nonetheless.
Tartinery, 209 Mulberry St, 212.300.5838
Raw and modern, the interiors retain that urban grit we like so well.
Torrisi Italian Specialties, 250 Mulberry St, 212.965.0955
We’ve always had a thing for ingredient storage as design element and it works quite nicely here.
ABC Kitchen, 35 E 18th St, 212.475.5829
While design-forward, the space is also fashionable – which unfortunately means it probably won’t last very long. Jean Georges walked in while we were eating, which was a nice design touch – kudos to ABC for that.
Aldea, 31 W 17th St, 212.675.7223
Sophisticated and delicate, the interiors are a complete pleasure to dine in. Don’t be afraid to geek-out and stare glassy-eyed up into the tube lighting art fixture.
Degustation, 239 E 5th St, 212.979.1012
Wall & Water, 75 Wall St, 212.699.1700
It reminds us of the class and formality of the 1920’s. While a bit stuffy the establishment makes you feel a bit more proper.
Wright, The, 5th & 89th St
The sign of a good bar, is a good bartender. The gentleman behind the bar at The Wright knows his old-school concoctions and the space is as sleek as modernism gets. You’d be delinquent to visit the Guggenheim and not drop in for an afternoon Negroni.
Here’s a few other BUILD approved joints to check out:
Home, 20 Cornelia St, 212.243.9579
Spitzer’s, 101 Rivington Street, 212.228.0027
good, 89 Greenwich Ave, 212.691.8080
DRINKS
Boom Boom Room, 848 Washington (Standard Hotel)
Sensuous and sexy this place is a drop-dead gorgeous experience. The view rivals anything in New York and the bathroom design is beyond words.
Press, 653 11th Ave (rooftop at the Ink48 Hotel)
Raines Law Room The, 48 W 17th St
With the speaksleazy (our new favorite term) movement in full swing, Raines plays it proper and maintains a classy atmosphere, a masterful drink menu and a pleasant atmosphere. The Frenchman at the front door is also a nice touch.
Highlands, 150 W 10th St, 212.229.2670
A good neighborhood establishment with a design-savvy feel.
MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Pl, 212.431.8500
The New Practices New York 2010 show is currently on exhibit and we were pleased to find a couple of acquaintances from grad school highlighted. Check out the work of Manifold and Easton Combs.
Cooper Hewitt, 2 East 91st St
The National Design Triennial is on until January 9th. It’s full of great design ideas and somewhat questionable ideas but you should get your eyeballs on all of it.
COFFEE SHOPS
Nespresso Boutique Bar
It would appear that this is the most expensive Americano in Manhattan but the space is beautifully modern.
SHOWROOMS
Ingo Mauer, 89 Grand St
More experiments in light than practical lighting, but it’s a wonder of a showroom and worth a visit.
Many, many more on The Modern List Manhattan and the occasional inside scoop via Twitter.