The NY Times

My current NY restaurant list, favorite new hotel, and a couple places to chill in the city.

Hello!

Hope everyone is hanging in there this week. Today, I’m sharing my current favorite spots in NY. Of course, New York perpetually changes and it’s nearly impossible to keep up with all the openings and happenings. Before moving to LA, I was based in NY for 13 years so it was a real point of pride to having an evolving list of my favorite spots in town. So, these are my present personal favorites that I find comforting, fun, cool and cozy! It’s winter after all! We’ve got some brand new restaurants as well as some classics, some fabulous shops, a couple spas and my fave new hotel to tell you about. I’ve put together this list based on a few trips to the city for photoshoots this winter. One was literally during the fires in LA so a few of my grand plans were postponed while I cried in my hotel room. But I promise if you go to any of these places, they all have the Michi Seal of Approval and you should have a fabulous time - natural disasters, notwithstanding.

The Amuse Bouche city guides are for paid subscribers and this week I’ll be donating all subscription revenue to the LAFD Foundation. It’s a great time to upgrade if you’re thinking about it!

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TO WEAR

So right now it’s arctic level freezing in New York and that requires The Big Coat. When I first moved to New York after high school, I was a California girl who thought a vintage leather jacket and Vans would get me through the winter. Learn from my naive mistakes and get yourself some proper gear. It is possible to look chic while staying warm and not looking like the Michelin Man.

COATS: I brought out my giant chocolate brown teddy coat that I got from The Frankie Shop a few years back - they have lots of good winter coats at a nice price. I like the robe style so that you can just wrap yourself in coziness. It’s such a good one (sadly sold out) and they now have the same shape in faux fur if that’s your vibe. This Stella McCartney is a great alt and on sale! You could go for a more structured look like my beloved Ref Lucas coat or this gorgeous one from The Frankie Shop in a rich camel. Chiiiiic. And then sometimes you just need a puffer - my favorite is from Soeur. It’s cropped, water repellent, so freakin warm and looks cool. Win win.

SWEATERS: Since you’ll likely be wearing the same coat every day, I like to bring some fun sweaters to bring some intrigue and mix things up. I’m very into baby blue, red cable knit, and this forest green number from the Frame x Ritz collab. I have it in medium and love the fit. My black G Label sweater and turtleneck are getting a lot of wear these days too.

LAYERING PIECES: My favorite t’s right now for wearing underneath sweaters are RLT, Karla Welch for Michael Stars, and perfectwhitetee. I really want the perfect marigold striped t from Kallmeyer but it’s sold out in my size! Might have to go for their long sleeve instead. Love my cozy Sessei tartan shirt to layer over a turtleneck too.

PANTS: My go-to jeans right now are my black and white pairs from AGOLDE. I like to do a monochromatic look with them both. J’adore. I like to bring a trouser to wear with sneakers too. This time, I packed my brown Matteau pants which are just divine. I’m eyeing these chic burgundy track pants from Me + Em too. Ever heard track pants described as chic?! Well these are exactly that.

ACCESSORIES: I’m digging silver earrings right now like this pair from Lie Studios to make me feel polished while braving the elements. It’s also nice to add a little sparkle over a sweater. I’m obsessed with my Dorsey pendant that gets SO many compliments. You can hang it off any of their Rivière necklaces (and probably others too). Speaking of Dorsey - I’m drooling over their super thin lab grown diamond tennis bracelet. Beyond elegant. You’ll def need a scarf and a beanie. As for footwear, I brought my red Adidas SL72s to wear with trousers and on the plane, patent boots for any snowy or rainy days, and a cute boot for dinner out. My winter bag remains the snake print Berkeley bucket bag from J.Crew. Everyone asks if it’s The Row. The snake print is sadly sold out from a few years ago, but I linked a gorgeous burgundy suede. For sunglasses, I have been loving some cat eyes from Jimmy Fairly. And don’t forget the cozy socks! A must.

TO STAY

The Manner is my new favorite place to stay in NYC. They’ve revamped the old 60 Thompson hotel in Soho. I loved the design - a nice departure from the minimal scandi vibes we see in so many places. The rooms are colorful and shiny with mirrors all around with furnishings that feel heavy and substantial and nice. I like that there are no TV’s in the room and it has lovely amenities by Costa Brazil. There’s a homey common room called The Apartment where you can work or take meetings. The restaurant called The Otter was fab and cute too. Their scallop crudo is beyond. And they have a great bar. I’d be very happy for this to be my new go-to NY hotel!