NYC, Summer 2024
8.3M people. That’s the population of NYC. LA has 3.6M, Chicago has 2.5M.
8.3M sounds like a lot of people right? Consider that Beijing, China has 21M people and Beijing is just the 3rd largest city in the world (beat by Chongqing, China at 32M and Shanghai, China at 24M). As someone who’s been to Beijing, just saying this to give you a relative scale that in the world, NYC is actually a humble, small town.
Ronnie and I recently traveled to NYC to celebrate my brother, Brad, and his engagement to my future sister-in-law, Claire. Before I get into this article, let me say this, I’ve traveled SO MUCH in my life, near and far, domestic and international… to date, for me, an American, I think NYC is the greatest city in the world.
So on our trip to small town America, we had a ball and I’m going to tell you all about it.
Eat
Ronnie and I prefer to eat our way through cities, as evidenced by my previous city guides. We’re two foodies and so it’s truly a lot of fun for us to find the best spots for really any kind of grub. Here’s where we ate during our trip Summer ‘24.
Soho / Little Italy
Thai Diner - A few years ago, we’d found a Thai place through a pal of mine called Uncle Boon’s Sister. That place is now gone, but the team that was behind it now has Thai Diner. Thai Diner is every bit as awesome as UBS was previously. We did it up, getting everything from the Phat See Ew to the Crab Claws and Steak and Quail Eggs, all of it was absolutely incredible.
The Wooly - We stumbled upon this place on our way from Yan May Foot Spa to Thai Diner and decided to pop in for a drink and some Oysters. The sidewalk vibes were so cute, people drinking Aperol Spritz’s and Rose. It was too cute to pass up. We were met by a really great bartender, and loved the vibes of the place. Behind the wall you’ll find CDs and Tape Decks which they actually play on the old school stereo system. It’s a nod to an more simple era, when you had to have a CD case in your car and you and your friends would listen to an album all the way through, or just know, that tracks 2, 6, and 8 were the ones to listen to.
Battery Park
PJ Clarkes on the Hudson - PJ Clarkes is a NY staple, it’s not bougee, overly pretentious, many would even call it touristy, but to me, it’s an iconic joint that brings back memories of traveling for work with my forever work bestie. There are a few locations in NYC, I typically go to the one on the east end of Central Park, but this time I took Ronnie and my parents to the one on the Hudson near Battery Park. The views of the Hudson are wonderful, you can see both the Statue of Liberty and the World Trade from a spot outside or inside at the Oyster Bar. Pro-tip: Order a dirty martini and oysters. Some finance bros also said the burger was delicious, I didn’t have one, but I believe them.
Blue Smoke - My parents wanted to get on a boat on the Hudson, so I told them I’d take them on a NY Water Taxi from Hudson Yards to Financial District in order to achieve their goal and show them the 911 memorial that they wanted to see while we were in town. We got on the Ferry at Pier 78 located at W. 38th St @ Hudson River Park (12th Ave) and rode it south to the Battery Park stop ~ 10-15 min ride. They loved it. When you get off at Battery Park, Blue Smoke is one of the first restaurants you’ll pass when you walk down Vesey towards Broadway. Go inside. Then order a minimum of 6 wings with the Alabama White Sauce. WOW. Stay tuned for a recipe coming soon. Ronnie and I can’t wait to try our hand at it.
Hudson Yards
Electric Lemon - This was a recommendation from Roisin Branch, CMO at Blade, who we had on the pod earlier this year. It did not disappoint. The rooftop is one of the better ones I’ve been to in NYC. Gorgeous skyline, gorgeous people, gorgeous food. For you nerds out there, we were sat next to Gary Vee, so that was cool. What to order? Memories of the ‘New Fashioned Devil Crab’ (shredded crab meat, cream ginger dressing, crunchy celery, and ginger crumb) is currently living rent free in my head, we also had the Little Gem Lettuce Salad add Shrimp and Avo (cucumber, crunch seeds - chia, flax, ground sunflower, and a dill/garlic yogurt dressing, boiled shrimp, and avo), which was spectacularly fresh. I’m going to try and re-create these at home too, stay tuned for recipes.
Verano NYC - Best Guac in America, hands down. I could probably spend a lifetime trying to re-create this and never get there, so instead of chasing the dragon, or even attempting to help you re-create this at home, I’m just going to leave it at this: book a flight to NYC, stay at The Equinox Hotel, and then have this guac (restaurant is next door to the hotel) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner 3 days in a row.
Midtown
Boqueria- This was attached to where we stayed on this trip, The AC Midtown, so it kind of feels like cheating to recommend it, but an order of the Mushroom Croquettas might change your life.
Taco Hermosa - There’s no website for this little hole in the wall (literally), so you’re just going to have to trust yourself to find a place like the one pictured below at about 38th and 8th. It’s my third time here. Ronnie is a taco connoisseur, so I had to make sure that he got to go and tell me if he agreed these were maybe the best tacos in America. We shared the Al Pastor and he agreed “these are maybe the best tacos in America.” So if you go, bring the taco connoisseur in your life and see if they agree.
Stay
For this trip we stayed at the AC Midtown which was absolutely perfect. We splurged for a room with a balcony which was a really nice feature, and one that I don’t feel is very common as an upgrade in NYC. There were a few great things about this hotel: The Doorman, Ricardo, and the Front Desk Guy, Kenny, to start. They were incredible hosts for the weekend. In addition, Saloman, the server who must have been assigned to follow my family around for the whole weekend… he waited on us at Boqueria and Castell (the rooftop bar) three days in a row. Brad and Claire had their engagement party at the Castell rooftop, which was so beautiful and fun. Let me say this, UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, I avoid Times Square when I travel to NYC. That being said, we LOVED being in the middle of the city with perfect proximity to everything we wanted to do. It was also SO nice to just stay where the main event for the weekend was, it reduced commute time and cost, plus all our friends and family were in the same hotel, so we enjoyed impromptu drinks, meals, and walks. Thank you Brad and Claire for including us in your spectacular celebration.
Equinox Hotel - Full disclosure, we did not stay here. I also think the rooms are going to cost you an arm and a leg, but the hospitality at Electric Lemon (see above) was excellent, and the hotel was SO stunning that I thought to myself… Yeah, I would definitely stay here. Views of the skyline and The Vessel are great.
Workout
We didn’t make it to an official workout while we were in town, but we did clock about 30 miles total in walking distance while we were in town for 3 days, so I think that counts for something. Recommendation? Walk from the AC Times Square to the Yan May Foot Spa in Chinatown and back. You’ll get about 20k steps in.
Play
Culture House NYC - Rec Cannabis is just starting to root in NYC, Culture House had a great selection. Pick up your fav sativa product and enjoy a weekend of giddy fun. Bonus points if you pick it up and then head to a Foot Massage or show at the Comedy Cellar.
Comedy Cellar - We finally made it to a show inside the original Comedy Cellar on MacDougal Street. Not to be confused with Comedy Cellar Village Underground or Comedy Cellar Fat Black Pussycat. This Comedy Cellar is LITERALLY a cellar, fits about 120 people is my guess, and you are packed in like sardines. Worth it. SO worth it. Just know you’ll have to plan in advance to get a spot here and there is a two drink min. Comics we discovered while here:
Emmy Blotnick - Ask me about her joke about “Nervous White Hoes”
Ryan Hamilton - Ask me about his joke about “NYC Double Dutch”
Robert Kelly - His crowd work was next level.
Yan May Foot Spa - Hands down one of my favorite things to do is get foot massages in Chinatown. It’s typically $1 per minute, so you can do like $30 for 30 min. It’s either a great massage or a great story, most often, it’s both. Trust me.
Remedy Place - Welcome to the world’s first social wellness club. The design of this space will make you want to remodel your entire home. If you’re planning a girls wellness weekend, or a bender with friends, I recommend getting on the books for an IV, followed by an Ice Bath. If you’re into contrast therapy, do the Ice Bath + Sauna. Bonus points for you if you make it the whole six minutes, I made the 6 min club, Ronnie on the other hand, he did not. I think he made the 60 seconds club, but that might be stretching it. 10/10 recommend the song “Can’t Stop” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers as your starting song.
NY Water Ferry - Ferry from Pier 76 to Battery Park for a gorgeous view of the NY Skyline, views of the Statue of Liberty and to go from Electric Lemon / Verano NYC to Blue Smoke and PJ Clarkes.
Subway - Find an excuse to take the subway. I think it’s the fastest way to get around, but really, I’m in it for the people watching. Ronnie and I had a dance party with a couple of teenagers listening to funk and riding around the train car in roller blades. It was fun.
Blade - I didn’t get to take a Blade on this trip, but trust me when I say you and your friends will enjoy if you do, this is the way to get around from any nearby airport to Manhattan. Worth knowing, you are a stonesthrow to Electric Lemon and Verano NYC when you land at / depart from the 34th St. Heliport.
