New York - Eat, Stay, Do
1 March 2015
Enjoy our guide to the Big Apple
Simply put, New York City has it all. Downtown, there’s the centre of world finance on Wall Street, which gives way to the commerce and chaos of Times Square in Midtown. Then there are the green spaces of Central Park and the affluent homes of the Upper East Side further up the island of Manhattan. And that’s not forgetting Brooklyn, a centre for culture where you’ll find everything from the best new bands to the coolest new restaurants.
It’s no wonder that so many legendary directors, such as Nora Ephron and Woody Allen, have been inspired here. That’s why for a lot of people, as soon as their flight to New York touches down, feel like they’ve stepped onto the set of a movie. From the yellow taxis hustling from street to street, to the Manhattan skyline dominated by the Empire State Building, there’s something about the place that feels familiar even if you’re travelling to New York for the first time.
Eat
Balthazar Restaurant
This Keith McNally institution in the heart of Soho is almost two decades old but the beautiful people still brunch here regularly. Housed in a former leather wholesaler’s warehouse, the fancy, open dining room is inviting yet chic. Come here for lunch after you’ve hit the shops on Broadway.
balthazarny.com
The Cecil
This lively restaurant is the first in New York to serve up Afro/Asian/American fusion food. If you think that’s a mouthful, just try the oxtail dumplings or the fried guinea hen, both of which pay homage to the restaurant’s Harlem roots. A real hidden gem in New York.
thececilharlem.com
Genuine Roadside in Gotham West Market
Fancy food courts are having a moment in the states right now – jump on the bandwagon at Gotham West Market. In the space, nothing beats The Classic Burger from Genuine Roadside, which is as good and as simple as burgers come. This is 21st century Americana.
genuineroadside.com
Stay
Standard Hotel, High Line
This 18-storey building towers over the High Line, offering 360-degree views across Manhattan and over the Hudson River. The Standard Grill and the Biergarten are popular with the city’s young and hip.
standardhotels.com/high-line
Wythe Hotel
This stylish hotel actually used to be a factory, and you can see hints of its past in the authentic fixtures and the exposed beams. It’s been thoroughly modernised now though, with gorgeous rooms, a screening theatre and the ever-so-fancy Reynard restaurant. Wear your best threads for this trendy Williamsburg spot.
wythehotel.com
Ace Hotel New York
This international chain opened its New York branch in 2009 and it’s still one of the most fun places in the city. Choose from a variety of rooms, but know that you’ll probably spend most of your time in the lounge downstairs where the cool kids come to party. (They’ll be jealous of your key upstairs for sure). acehotel.com/newyork
Do
Tour the The High Line
Take an abandoned, elevated train track, add US$150 million and hire landscape geniuses Diller Scofidio + Renfro. What do you get? One of the most unique parks on the planet. There’s a free walking tour every Tuesday and Saturday.
thehighline.org
Walk the Williamsburg Bridge
The Brooklyn Bridge might be more iconic, but the Williamsburg Bridge has brilliant views without the crowds, combining lower Manhattan with the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.
Visit Prospect Park
Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux took what they learned designing Central Park and applied it to this 585-acre space in Brooklyn. Walk the 5km drive that circles the space or wander through the fields and wooded paths to beautiful lakeside views. Don’t miss the Brooklyn Botanical Garden right across the street.
prospectpark.org
Emirates Staff Tips
Salon De Ning
“Head to The Peninsula and its opulent rooftop venue Salon De Ning for a drink, which you can enjoy while taking in the spectacular views of Manhattan.”
- Lorna Juliette Hills, Leisure Travel Officer
Iridium Jazz Club
“Some of my favourite places are the Iridium Jazz Club in Times Square and Restaurant Row on 47/49th Street, which features virtually every type of ethnic food there is.”
- Kathleen Ryan, Senior Customer Service Agent