The best hotspots in New York City
Who doesn’t love NYC? The bright lights, the busy streets, the rooftop bars and the restaurants – the city that never sleeps has an appeal that will never fizzle out. But with so much choice on offer, how do you know where to go when you’re pounding the pavements of the East Village or the Upper West Side?
Luckily, Team Hood have got you covered, with a roundup of our favourite hotels, brunch spots, dinner destinations and must-visit bars in the Big Apple….
The Williamsburg Hotel
Stay: The Williamsburg Hotel
A hipster’s paradise, it may be – but Williamsburg has more to offer than artisan coffee and street food stalls. The eponymous hotel is a glossy, five-star haven with contemporary interiors (you’ve probably seen their bathrooms all over Instagram), a beautiful bar and restaurant, and a seriously impressive rooftop terrace, pool and bar, with a breathtaking view of Manhattan.
Centrally located in Williamsburg, you’ll find key attractions like the Brooklyn Brewery, Smorgasburg street food market, and Brooklyn Bowl all within five minutes’ walk, plus you’re less than ten minutes from the buzz of Bedford Avenue and the subway back into Manhattan.
Visit the website.
The Aviary at Mandarin Oriental NYC
Cocktails: The Aviary NYC, Mandarin Oriental New York
Rooftop bars are ten a penny in NYC, so it can be tricky to find one that’s truly something special. Whilst we visited many rooftop bars during our stay, the one that really stood out was The Aviary NYC, located on the 35th floor of the Mandarin Oriental hotel. With a breathtaking view across Central Park and the city beyond, the vista makes this place unmissable in itself – but throw in the amazing cocktails and faultless, old-school service, and it’s an unforgettable combination.
The Aviary NYC prides itself on cocktails with seriously Instagrammable presentation; the menu is even arranged by how quirky the serving will be. We enjoyed the ‘Breakfast to Go’ – a coffee-infused whisky cocktail, served tucked inside a paper bag, scented with the fragrance of fresh pastries and popcorn – and the Cos-meowing, scented with strawberry, lime and hibiscus, with a complementary meringue perched on top of the teapot-inspired glass, and a straw to blow through to mix the cocktail to your preferred effervescence. Equal parts weird and wonderful, the contrast of the elegant surroundings against the slightly mad cocktail menu makes this a must-visit.
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Temple Court at The Beekman
Brunch: Temple Court at The Beekman
The Financial District might not be the most obvious place to head for brunch, but if you are in the area, you might just find yourself enjoying one of the most sophisticated brunch spots the city has to offer.
Temple Court, located inside The Beekman hotel, has a kind of Gotham-esque glamour, with imposing architecture, moody lighting and a view right up to the glass ceiling several tens of floors above, from the middle of the restaurant. Offering a selection of dishes midway between breakfast and a main meal, you certainly won’t go hungry here. The chicken liver pate and hanger steak and eggs are both hefty in size and perfect for sating any appetite, whilst the skate almondine is a lighter alternative, packed with fresh ingredients. If you’re in the mood for a brunch dessert, then the baked Alaska is something of a house special that’s not to be missed.
Plus, on Saturdays and Sundays, you can even enjoy a jazz brunch, with live jazz whilst you enjoy your meal - a memorable experience to elevate your afternoon.
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Dirty French at The Ludlow. Credit: Annie Schlecter
Dinner: Dirty French at The Ludlow
New York is crammed with chic bars and restaurants where you’re likely to run into an A-lister or two, and Dirty French, on the Lower East Side, is certainly one of them. With a menu inspired by classic Parisian dishes, with a contemporary ‘dirty’ twist, this is a cosy yet seriously cool place to see and be seen, and the food is among the finest we experienced anywhere in NYC.
Sip on a Belmondo to start – a boozy concoction with tequila, pear and ginger – or a Pigalle to get the tastebuds tingling (it’s packed with bourbon, citrus and ancho chillies!). When it comes to the eating, ask the maitre d’ for his recommendations for wine, you absolutely won’t go wrong.
The seafood at Dirty French is something of a speciality, so don’t skip on it. Try the raw scallops, which are super fresh and clean, served on a bed of crushed ice, or the tuna tartare, which is punchy with Mexican spice, but still light and zingy. Even oyster-phobes will love the grilled oysters, which come loaded with garlic and parsley butter, served with hunks of bread for dipping.
Mains – try the house specials. The steak frites is something special; juicy steak with a flavourful crust, beautifully cooked and served with a tumble of crispy golden chips and a spicy green peppercorn sauce. The duck aux Mirabelle, served roasted with ras el-hanout, cognac and plums, is sumptuous and rich, especially when paired with the crispy, savoury dirty rice.
Desserts may not be necessary, but they are delicious. The pineapple and banana tarte tatin is fruity, tropical, caramelised and dense, but the star of the show are the orange-blossom beignets, which are addictively light and fluffy, served with sweet and sticky orange-blossom caramel. We guarantee you won’t want to share this one!
And once dinner’s done, you can head to The Lobby Bar in the Ludlow to continue sipping on cocktails, in seriously chic surroundings - get another Belmondo, sit back and relax….