New York City Guide

Holiday season in NYC is magical. Here are my favorite place to eat, drink and be merry!

I love New York City, period. Each time we visit, I feel a sense of life brought back inside of me. During the holiday season, the city is extra magical. I’ve been wanting to come back for Thanksgiving since I was a child. This year we were fortunate enough to see the big city with both Nick’s and my family. Plus, with Olivia along for the ride, I was able to see the Big Apple through her eyes. So much awe and excitement…memories I will never forget.

Per usual, we ate and drank our way through the city. Below are some of our favorite place to eat, drink, and be merry.

We like to explore one part of a city at a time, and with NYC, there is so much to see around every corner. This trip was all focused on the Upper East Side, near Central Park.

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EAT

Breakfast

• Ess-a-Bagel: You cannot go wrong with a traditional NYC bagel. The lox spread is to die for.

• Bob’s Bagel: Here you can get a gf bagel with vegan cream cheese…so GOOD.

• To be quirt honest, we usually opt for room service

Lunch

• Harry Cipriani: Always our favorite. Very classic NYC. Order: Bottle of the Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio, artichoke salad, branzino. Nick loves all of their pasta dishes.

• ABC Kitchen

• Tavern on the Green: I know it’s touristy, but we love it.

• The Boathouse: Best location, right in the middle of Central Park

• Gramercy Tavern

Dinner- too many good spots

• Scalinatella: Classic Italian. The artichoke pasta was divine!

• Babbo: Another great Italian restaurant. Great for date night!

• Quality Meats: One of the best steakhouses I’ve been to.

• Balthazar: Fun French bistro. Order: oyster, chopped salad, share a steak.

• Polo Lounge: Make a reservation now to get a table!

• Le Cous Cous: This one is in Soho and has been on my list for a while.

Drink

• The Champagne Bar: The Plaza, great lobby.

• Bemelman’s Bar: In the Carlyle Hotel — piano bar, great martini’s.

• The Bar at the Celement: At the top of the Peninsula Hotel — great views of 5th Avenue.

• The Bar at the St. Regis: The original Red Snapper was created here.

• The Campbell Apartment Bar: The hidden gem in Grand Central Station.

Stay

• Of course, the Plaza is iconic and a great location. It was always a dream of mine to stay here.

• Park Lane: Great location across from Central Park with a lower price tag

• St. Regis: Great hotel and location!

• 1 Hotel: Haven’t been yet, but I’ve heard nothing but good things.

• If you are in Soho — we love the 11 Howard. Not expensive, but a really cool spot

What To Do

• Central Park: with kiddos

  • Zoo

  • Carousel

  • Feed the ducks

  • Tavern on the Green for a mimosa (see, a little something for everyone)

• Radio City Rockettes Holiday Show — it was spectacular

• See a Broadway Show

• Shop Shop Shop (even window shopping in the town is great)

• Empire State Building — got to do it once

• Rockefeller Center during the holidays is magical. Do not miss Ralph’s Coffee Truck.

• Avoid Times Square!

• Visit the museums…they are incredible.

• Stand up comedy shows,.

Photos: Amanda by Flytogether

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