Upper East Side: In a New York Minute

Central Park

Unofficially every Upper East Sider’s backyard, Central Park offers acres of green space for both locals and tourists alike. Stroll around the reservoir, named after one of the neighborhood’s most iconic residents, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The now-decommissioned reservoir holds more than one billion gallons of water, is home to more than a dozen species of birds and offers some of the most underrated views of the city’s skyline.

Museums

 The Metropolitan Museum of Art, often referred to as “The Met” is the obvious answer, yet I prefer more intimate options including The Frick Collection, Neue Galerie, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, often referred to as “The Guggenheim.”

The Frick Collection: Please note that the collection of Old Master paintings and European fine and decorative arts is temporarily housed at the Breuer Building while the institution’s permanent home, the Henry Clay Frick House undergoes a significant expansion. Designed by Thomas Hastings of the firm Carrère and Hastings, the three-story Beaux-Arts mansion that typically houses the collection is a work of art itself. Therefore, I recommend postponing your visit here until the collection returns to the Henry Clay Frick House in late 2024.

Neue Galerie: With a focus on German and Austrian art, Neue Galerie’s collection is divided into two sections. The first section, on the second floor of the museum, exhibits early twentieth-century German and Austrian art. The highlight being one of the most expensive paintings ever sold, Gustav Klimt’s, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I. The second section, on the third floor of the museum, exhibits various German works from the same era, but focuses on art movements such as Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider), Die Brücke (The Bridge) and Bauhaus. On the first floor of the museum, the bookstore, design shop and Viennese cafés are all a must, especially Café Sabarsky.

The Guggenheim: Similar to The Frick Collection, the building housing the Guggenheim’s collection is arguably as significant as the collection itself. In fact, the museum's building is a landmark work of 20th-century architecture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The main gallery contains a six-story helical ramp that extends along its perimeter, as well as a central ceiling skylight. It is the permanent home of a continuously expanding collection of modern and contemporary art, featuring special exhibitions throughout the year.

If your interests lie less in art and more in other areas like design and/or culture, Copper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Museum of the City of New York (although technically in East Harlem), and The Jewish Museum are alternatives to the above.

Shopping:

Madison Avenue: Sophistication is evident along Madison Avenue's stretch of international flagships. From Hermès, Chanel and Goyard to Ralph Lauren’s flagship which is housed in a mansion rivaling the aforementioned Henry Clay Frick House; there is nowhere better (outside of Paris or Milan) to curate your closet.

Cafés:

Bluestone Lane: Inspired by Australian café culture, Bluestone Lane offers the best progressive café fare with full table service for all-day breakfast, brunch and lunch. The UES location is housed in a historic Church and leverages the sandstone features creating a space even noted by Architectural Digest.

Ralph’s Coffee: Breakfast at Tiffany’s? No. Breakfast at Ralph Lauren.

Variety Coffee Roasters: Coffee roasted daily in Brooklyn sourced from the freshest ingredients. The menu reflects the various growing seasons of different coffee growing regions.

Brunch/Lunch:

The Penrose: Local’s favorite with a familiar menu and a lively atmosphere.

Dinner:

DANIEL: Staple for 30 years with an ever-changing seasonal menu inspired by the finest meats, wild game, seafood, vegetables, fruits and foraged flavors from around the world.

Elio’s: Iconic old-school Italian with classic dishes.

Le Charlot: Cult French bistro with a laissez-fair, yet chic attitude.

T Bar: The sexiest steakhouse in the city known for both sex and steak.

Toloache: The BEST margaritas in New York City - need I say more?

Drinks:

Bemelmans Bar: The Carlyle, a Rosewood Hotel's flagship bar, featuring original Ludwig Bemelman murals. Then, speaking of Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis, the Carlyle is allegedly where JFK and Marilyn Monroe rendezvoused after the notorious “Happy Birthday Mr. President.”

Dorrian’s Red Hand: Infamous Tuesday night karaoke which (sorry not sorry) would be cringe anywhere else. IYKYK.

The Mark Bar: For the most stylish nightcap on Madison Avenue.