The very first Donna Ida girl was Lovisa Toll. Lovisa and I opened our Chelsea boutique together in 2006 and she stayed with us combining her styling jobs in London until 2011 when she moved to the city that has always drawn her, NYC. She now hot foots it around the city styling and is also a buyer for Pucci. Since she always knows the coolest places in every city I asked her to pull together a list for everyone visiting NYC. Here it is....
EATING & DRINKING
* Aquavit, 65 East 55th Street
http://www.aquavit.org/restaurant/newyork/index.asp
This is the mecca for Scandinavian food! Try classics like herring, toast Skagen and steak tartar. Wash it down with a few shots of Aquavit, which is a traditional Scandinavian spirit that gets its distinctive flavour from spices and herbs and has been making Nordic people tipsy since the 15th century.
* Balthazar, 80 Spring Street
http://www.balthazarny.com/
Great for a long boozy lunch and people watching! This busy French bistro draws an international crowd and is always packed. Keep your eyes peeled for celebrities hiding in the corners.
* Masa, 10 Columbus Circle
http://masanyc.com/
Best Japanese food outside Tokyo! No menu - you simply surrender to the restaurant’s will and it's fantastic!(Just try to ignore that you're dining in a shopping mall).
* Public, 210 Elizabeth Street
Trendy industrial design and a great international cuisine. This place has a young vibe and skinny jeans with heels feels just right. The tables are quite close together so don't be surprised if you make a few new friends!
*XVI Lounge, 251 West 48th Street
http://xvinyc.com/
A rooftop club in the style of Louis XVI - the last French King who ruled France between 1774-1791 and lived so large the monarchy was abolished and the King lost his head!
The interiors here are very decadent and this place is beyond cool in the summer months when you can dance on a rooftop with the wind in your hair.
XVI draws a mix crowd of media types, models and Wall Street boys. (The last time I was there I got chatted up by a pornstar..!)
* Buddakan, 75 9th Avenue
http://www.buddakannyc.com/
Amazing Asian food but I come here for the surreal interiors. Expect high ceilings, chandeliers, dimmed lights and lots of gold. Dress to impress and try their cocktails in the glamorous lounge bar before your meal.
* Daniel Bouloud, 60 East 65th Street
http://danielnyc.com/
The ultimate French fine dining experience in New York. Get your Louboutin's on and join the Upper East siders for a French extravagance! (The cute sommelier speaks with a French accent even though I found out he's actually from Boston...)
SPA
* The Mandarin Hotel, 80 Columbus Circle
http://www.mandarinoriental.com/newyork/
Award winning spa high above New York. This place offers every possible treatment with beautiful views of Central Park. Ultimate bliss!
VINTAGE SHOPPING
* Designer Resale, 324 East 81st Street
A vintage store which only stocks high fashion. The rails are packed with pieces from Dior, Prada, Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent all in good condition. Like any vintage store it can be a bit hit and miss but when it's good it's VERY good.
PARK LIFE
* The High Line, Gansevoort Street
http://www.thehighline.org/
The High Line is a public park built on an historic freight rail line elevated above the streets on Manhattan’s West Side.
Here you will find a mix of tourists and New Yorkers hanging out on sun beds, drinking coffee and relaxing. Great for a bit of innocent afternoon flirting!
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