Ask Sherry: My Guide to New York City – Shopping, Style and Eats

(It is so funny! I got this as a question but in fact, I already started on this post a few weeks before without getting the prompt.)

Note: I am going again this year, so I will update or do a version 2 if I happen to find more things to eat and do.

SIGHTS

Aside from the basic stuff — Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Statue of Liberty, The Met, Times Square, Grand Central Station, etc, these are my favourite little not-so-well-known spots and I always want to go back when I am there.

• The Highline: Gorgeous walkway overlooking the city (old train tracks) filled with flora and fauna
• Irish Hunger Memorial: Sounds unusual but I really enjoyed this meadow-ish space; it was such a NICE PLACE to hang
• Ground Zero: Monumental. I went there and was moved. Worth a visit but you need to sign up for time passes the day of

FOOD

Aside from Ladurée (omg macarons)…. I would highly recommend these places because I would live there if I could:

• Nyonya: Delicious food. Try the Nyonya chicken and the Roti Canai (chicken curry). IT IS ALL GOOD.
• Friedman’s: Went here for brunch, it was ALL good. The blueberry pancakes and the duck confit was amazing.
• Chelsea Market: Food market and shopping for gifts and things
• Café Boulud: I loved this place when I lived there, lots of fun little things to nosh on
• Ippudo Ramen: Never made it here but RAMEN!!
• Ivan Ramen: Never made it here, not enough time.
• Shake Shack: DID NOT get a chance to eat here. Want to. Just couldn’t stand the lines. Next time.
• Magnolia Bakery: I love cupcakes, and they have very good ones!
• Minamoto Kitchoan: The best, most expensive Japanese desserts, jellies and cakes you will ever eat. They are outstanding and very $$$
• Ladurée: Best macarons ever. The very very best are in Paris by Pierre Hermé, but these are pretty good

If you are really keen on trying super high end sushi and are willing to blow $300 USD on a meal, this meal was life-changing:

• Sushi Nazakawa: Seriously amazing. Go for the omakase, it will DEFINITELY BE CHEAPER than ordering off the menu

Places I’d love to try when I go back

• Dominique Ansel Bakery – Pastries
• Los Tacos No. 1 – Mexican
• Dos Caminos – Mexican
• Gaia Italian Cafe – Traditional Italian
• The Egg Shop – Brunch
• Citizens of Chelsea – Brunch
• Tonchin Ramen – Ramen!
• Aux Epices: Malaysian-French
• Clinton Street Baking: Pastries

SHOPPING

I am not including places that are available like J. Crew, All Saints, Kate Spade, but I did visit them when I was in NYC.

These stores, are only available in the U.S. and/or in NYC!

• M.M. Lafleur: My favourite place for pricey (but not thousands of dollars) high-quality workwear.
• Sézane: A Parisienne-run e-tailer for the masses online; I didn’t get to go but I wanted to badly
• Cuyana: I was dying to visit this place because I own a poncho from them and love it
• Everlane: I was dying to also visit here but could not 🙁 I just wanted to try on things….
• Chelsea Market: Food market and shopping for gifts and things
• Glossier: Has very cool makeup – I love their Cloud Paint and Boy Brow products
• The Strand Bookstore: I REALLY loved this bookstore. I could have spent a few hours in here.
• & Other Stories: I did not get to go here but I will

Then of course you can go to Target, J. Crew, Ann Taylor, Nordstrom, Saks, and so on, but these are all ‘regular’ stores and not independent sort of under-the-radar shops which I think you were asking me for.

And that would be my hit list when I go to NYC.