Sarah Fones takes Melissa fans around NY
Melissa Gallery is about to open in NY and when you come for a visit you should also come with great tips to walk around NY without waisting time with "tourist only" tours. Journalist and New York expert, Sarah Fones filled our notebooks with great tips for all sort of personalities. Check it out.
Melissa- I'm a fashionista crazy for colorful, fun and playful things. Where would you take me?
Sarah Fones- If you're into vintage, then I would say Amarcord in Soho for sure. It's a small boutique on Lafayette where everything is organized by color: vibrant reds, purples, greens, blues, pinks. Imagine playing dress up in your super-chic Italian aunt's insane closet. The owner is Italian, so a lot of the pieces come from Italy. All are high quality ready-to-wear and in mint condition. I've seen vintage YSL, Missoni, Ungaro. And they also have a killer collection of handbags, belts, sunglasses and jewelry.
Melissa - I'm a 21 year old girl looking for adventure. Where should I go?
Sarah Fones -The options are seemingly limitless. But in terms of nightlife there's always Le Bain or the Top of the Standard (aka The Boom Boom Room) at the Standard hotel. I think it's still the tightest door in New York. Something more relaxed but still fun is Birreria at Eataly. It's a rooftop beer bar with a great selection of brews and a lot of yummy meat dishes. But for me a must is still getting a martini at Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel. I can't think of anything that's more classically New York than this. It's dark and cozy and there's a great piano player and sometimes live jazz. Woody Allen has even played there!
Melissa- I'm a culture lover, seeking the for modern art. Where would you take me?
Sarah Fones - The Museum of Modern Art, definitely! There's a Cindy Sherman exhibition opening in late February. The Guggenheim and the Whitney also have cool shows on right now. And Chelsea is always great for galleries: Lehman Maupin, Gagosian, etc.
Melissa- I'm a Soho addict looking for the coolest restaurant in that zone. Where would you take me?
Sarah Fones- I just ate at an amazing restaurant on Mulberry Street called Balaboosta. The cuisine is Middle Eastern-influenced and so, so so good. Perfect for brunch and dinner. And literally just across the street is Rubrirosa, a really hip, old school Italian place (it is Little Italy after all!) Café Gitane is great for people watching. Lots of models and celebs.
Melissa- I just want to experiment the new yorker lifestyle...
Sarah Fones- I think that anyone visiting New York should visit the High Line. It's kind of like a little urban oasis in the middle of a bustling city. Basically they built a public park atop what was once an old, elevated freight rail track. There are all kinds of really lovely plants and flowers and benches and deck chairs to lounge on. The views are great—you can see across the Hudson river all the way to New Jersey! I also recommend both Film Forum and the IFC Center for movies. Here you're going to see the films that you can't see elsewhere in New York—or maybe even in the country! They both show a lot of old classics, documentaries and independent films.
Melissa- I'm super romantic, love pink, lace and bows. What do you suggest?
Sarah Fones -Two places: Victoria's Secret and Kiki de Montparnasse. The former is definitely more casual (and cheaper) than the latter. But both have fun and fabulous lingerie. Best of all, they're located just a few blocks away from each other in Soho.
Melissa- I'm brazilian! Where would you take me?
Sarah Fones - Walking around the West Village. It's arguably the loveliest neighborhood in the city. And architecturally at least, it's a lot different from anything that you're going to see in places like Rio or São Paulo. There are amazing apartments and townhouses, many of them dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. It kind of feels like going back in time—at least until you see all of the cabs and everyone taking pictures on their iPhones.
Melissa- I'm a discount freak for buying fashion clothes. Where would you take me?
Sarah Fones - INA is great. Just imagine a Barneys warehouse sale on a smaller scale. Beautiful clothes, most of them new and in great condition. There are two locations, both in Soho. I also like Second Time Around. Same kind of vibe, but the clothes are probably more classic. INA carries edgier merchandise. And there are ALWAYS sample sales happening. Just check online.
Thank you Sarah!
If you also have tips you'd like to share, do it!