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This is a boutique hotel in every sense of the phrase; every detail has been poured over, from the silky, pleated walls in the corridor to the hidden Portrait Bar, just for hotel guests.  It’s full of surprises; you could round a corner to find a floral, velvet sofa and a well-stocked bookcase as a reading nook, or discover a colorful parlor filled with palms and garden furniture, available for private hire. It’s a bit like a cabinet of curiosities, but on a much larger scale—here’s my brand-new review of The Fifth Avenue Hotel.  Why should I stay at The Fifth Avenue Hotel? First up, because it’s absolutely gorgeous. Its home is found within a 19th-century mansion and Swedish-born star designer Martin Brudnizki created the design scheme, which is inspired by owner Alex Ohebshalom’s travels as well as romanticized figures of French history, like the poet Baudelaire. The vibe is all richly toned colors, exquisite materials, and romantic details, so you’ll want to get your camera out. It also genuinely feels five-star—there are special touches like tablets in rooms that control all elements of lighting, heat, sound, and television, as well as a 24/7 butler service. What are the rooms like at The Fifth Avenue Hotel? There’s a mixture of rooms (queens, kings, and corners), suites (studio, one-bedroom, terrace), and signature suites such as the penthouse, which are beautifully designed, offering features such as smart TVs, designer bath products, and even luxury car service. You...

These pizza pies aren’t just delicious—they’re crafted with a passion for flavor and perfected with a scientific touch. Owner Atalay, a chemical engineer, has spent years perfecting every element—from the cheese’s melt factor to the sauce’s acidity—to bring you pizzas that are both mouthwatering and light. With each bite you'll taste the difference that using premium ingredients makes, from the freshest produce to authentic, flavorful cheeses. From classic Margheritas to bold gourmet creations, they're got a slice for every craving.

Alma has the kind of restaurant story we love to hear. It started all the way back in 2002 when three partners purchased a vacant lot in Red Hook and built the tri-story restaurant from the ground up (the same team moseyed down the waterfront to build Brooklyn Crab a decade later, which also sits three stories off the ground). But in 2024, Roberto Lopez and Emilio Sanchez took over the operation, sprucing up the floors and decor across all three levels. To ensure the integrity of Alma remained intact, chef Francisco Lopez, who'd been there for 20 years, stayed put in the kitchen to continue cooking Pueblan cuisine, the food of his Mexican hometown. A true family affair, his wife, Margarita, brings her Oaxacan roots to the table, focusing on salsas and moles that she makes from scratch, while their daughters, Daisy and Daphne, tend to the front of house.  The cuisine is more homey than groundbreaking: bowls filled to the brim with guacamole, flautas as crunchy and crisp as can be and tortillas made in-house and served warm every time. The red snapper is a sleeper hit with a punchy, warm tomatillo-and-saffron sauce, while the short rib enchiladas did the job, spilling out with shreds of meat and plenty of cheese, covered in a luscious mole. Billed for two (though there's plenty to feed three people), the parillada platter features several proteins—some a bit overcooked—including grilled steak, shrimp, chicken and chorizo, plus triangles of gooey fried cheese, mango salsas...

elNico Rooftop might be one of the more understated rooftops in Williamsburg. It sort of hides in plain sight inside The Penny Hotel Williamsburg, which perhaps makes sense, since graduate students at Bard College also call his hybrid hotel home. It sits 11 stories up, its interior looking a little like a gallery loft where your eccentric friend just moved in, as marble pillars and white floors stand in the background of velvet green couches, colorful rugs and a sculpture that looks like a cloud of colorful confetti thrown above the bar in glee. But the roof is where you'll find most of the clientele, whether it's at the open-air lounge in the summer or the all-season covered terrace, nicknamed the greenhouse, both touting amazing shots of Brooklyn and the skyline in the distance. It makes a great landing spot for visitors and locals who remember it exists, whether you climb up for a daytime brunch of birria benedicts and chilaquiles or wind down with plates of tacos and chicken mole by dusk. But coming here for a drink and a chill by the DJ stand is just as good, particularly if that tipple is the excellent tomatillo Gibson. 

We really like eating around the city, and we're guessing you do, too. So lucky for all of us, we've packed all our favorite restaurants under one roof at the Time Out Market New York. The DUMBO location in Empire Stores has fried chicken from Jacob’s Pickles, pizza from Fornino, delicious bagels from Ess-a-bagel and more amazing eateries—all cherry-picked by us. Chow down over two floors with views of the East River, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline.  RECOMMENDED: The best things do in NYC

If you thought getting a table at Per Se was tough, try getting into Rao’s. On second thought, don’t. Rao’s (pronounced “RAY-ohs”) is really a private club without the dues. To eat here, you’ll need a personal invite from one of the heavy hitters who “owns” a table. These CEOs, actors, politicians, news personalities and neighborhood old-timers established a long-standing arrangement with the late, legendary owner Frankie “No” Pellegrino, and that's what ensures a seat at one of the ten tables at the Italian-American icon. In fact, reading this review is probably the closest you’ll get to Rao’s.

The rooftop restaurant inside Equinox’s very first hotel is just as you’d envision a restaurant from a luxury-gym brand to be: health-conscious, sleek and upmarket, catering to a see-and-be-seen crowd that may or may not have just worked out.  The vibe: Electric Lemon mimics the monochromatic stylings of the luxury gym down below: much of it grey, much of it grand and mostly sparsely decorated except for curved metal accents, a fireplace and wavy reflective art pieces. The real draw is the sprawling, 8,000-square-foot terrace, offering excellent views of the river and a stockyard of subway cars lying in wait down below. Don't be surprised if a flock of gussied-up influencers magically appear at the golden hour to snap a few pics. But you can't really hate on them, as you'll likely be right alongside them, taking shots of your own. The food: Two words: clean eating. What that phrase actually translates to here is food that feels healthy enough, but is bordering on boring. Mindfully nosh on tightly packed summer rolls plump with an assortment of rainbow petals, "new-fashioned" deviled crab (that needs more helpings of its creamy ginger dressing and a vehicle to eat it with) and a juicy piece of chicken served over a bed of spring veggies.  You can get a bit naughty with a wonderful lemon spaghetti featuring pops of bottarga and a generous sprinkle of fresh lemon zest and Parmesan. The cheeseburger ($32) is sufficiently indulgent but exorbitantly priced at $46, once you add...

We curated every last detail at the Time Out Market: the food, the cultural experiences, the drinks, the space—everything including the breathtaking view, which is the perfect backdrop for the “best in New York City” experience. At The Rooftop at Time Out Market you can discover impressive bites from culinary rockstars while relaxing on sea foam seats on the outdoor terrace. Post up for acts selected by our team, complementing the entertainment of the breathtaking, sweeping views of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline, perfectly framed by the grand windows. Signature Cocktails ($14) New York SourAmador Double Barrel Whiskey, Lemon, Simple, Aquafaba and Reserve Port Hibiscus ChillCasamigos Reposado, Combier Orange, Lime and Hibiscus Syrup Sangria SpritzBertoux Brandy, Mulling Spice, Red Wine Blend and Club Soda Smokin' Cherry MuleAgave De Cortes Mezcal, Black Cherry, Amaro, Lemon and Ginger Beer SouthsiderSpring 44 Vodka, Aloe, Mint and Cucumber My Kind of Old FashionedHigh West Double Rye, Bertoux Brandy, Maple and Bitters Coconut CarouselOwney's Rum, Dark Rum, Orange, Pineapple, Coconut and Nutmeg Strawberry BelliniGrey Goose Vodka, Strawberry, Basil and ProseccoBeer Selection ($8) Brooklyn Brewery, Bronx Brewery, Stella Artois ($9), Modelo Especial ($9), Asahi Brewery, Estrella Damm, Mikkeller Brewery ($12), Five Boroughs Brewery Wine List SparklingLambrusco, Otello Ceci, Emilia, Italy ($12, $54)Mumm Napa, Blanc De Blancs, Napa, CA ($13, $56)Bedell Sparkling...

Is the role of a hotel to shield its guests from the outside world or render them participants to the goings-on of the city they get to temporarily call home? If you’re leaning towards the former, then the Greenwich Hotel, the eight-story luxury abode near Tribeca that's partly owned by actor Robert De Niro, is where you’ll want to stay while in town.  Nestled on the corner of North Moore Street and Greenwich Street right by the West Side Highway, the building boasts 73 rooms, some of which overlook an interior courtyard, 11 suites and two duplex penthouses that are aptly named The Greenwich and The North Moore.  On a recent visit while staying in a luxurious suite on the second floor, I was struck by one aspect of the experience: I forgot I was in New York. When looking out the window and into the courtyard, I noticed the absence of the very things that make the city what it is on a visual level. There were no buildings, no people rushing down the street and all was… quiet?  Despite the disconnect from its surroundings, the hotel offers a premium experience when it comes to your actual stay: the beautiful bathroom, complete with a shower and a bath, was stocked with Red Flower products developed specifically for the hotel and the bed, by British company Savoir, was particularly comfortable.  But there’s more: guests receive a complimentary newspaper every morning and the mini bar is filled with non-alcoholic drinks and snacks to be enjoyed completely gratis (keep in mind...

Some things get better with age. The Empire State Building—now approaching its 100th birthday—is definitely one of them.  The Empire State Building became an icon when it opened in 1931 as the world's tallest building. Though the landmark may have lost its No. 1 height status, it's remained a beloved destination with incredible views of the city. Thanks to recent updates, it's not just about the views anymore. The building now spotlights art, architecture, and history; plus, it offers a slew of cool events and excellent dining options.  Tourists tend to make the Empire State Building their first stop upon arriving in New York City, and they're onto something—it's worth a visit, no matter if you're a lifelong New Yorker or just passing through town. Here's everything you need to know to make the most of your trip to this essential gem of the Manhattan skyline. RECOMMENDED: 101 best things do in NYC Why is the Empire State Building so famous? This building was a Very Big Deal since day one. It was the world’s first building to soar higher than 100 stories, and it was completed in a record-breaking 1 year and 45 days thanks to seven million man-hours of hard work. The 102-story skyscraper opened to plenty of fanfare. On May 1, 1931, President Herbert Hoover pressed a button in Washington, D.C., officially opening the building and turning on the Empire State Building’s lights for the first time. The building quickly became a tourist hotspot, even more so when it became the...