• Trender & Guider
  • Bloggere
  • StylistaTV
  • Giggles & Dimples
  • Ingrid Holm
  • Guri Heli
  • by Benedicthe
  • Cath in the City
  • Eirin Kristiansen
  • Marie Wolla
  • Anniken Jørgensen
  • Hanna Martine

CathInTheCity

2, March 2017 | 15:39

West Village

14 Comments | New York ♥, New York 2017, New York Tips

–

My favorite part of New York ♥

–

–

.. Walk around the streets and get inspired by the amazing surroundings ..

–

–

Have a glass of wine at The Spotted Pig (314 W 11th)

–

–

Walk down Bleecker Street and check out all the cool stores (BookMarc is a must)

–

 

Check out Carrie’s steps (66 Perry Street)

–

–

Try to get a table at The Waverly Inn for dinner. Big celeb spot and cozy atmosphere! (16 Bank Street)

––

–

Smile & Enjoy

–

–

On Saturday Camilla and I enjoyed a few hours in my favorite part of New York, West Village. We also visited this part the night before, but we both wanted to come back and stroll around the same streets in daylight. Our boyfriends headed to Paragon Sports while we were there, which must be the best store in the world for everything that has to do with sport and working out. It’s so cool to be there, but we didn’t want to spend hours there like the boys did, hah. The store is by Union Square, and if you walk a couple of avenues west and a few streets south, you’re in the heart of West Village! We did all of the things I mentioned above (except for the dinner), and had the best time in the sunshine. Wine at the super hot celeb restaurant The Spotted Pig (Jennifer Aniston, Beyoncé and Jay Z come here a lot) was a must, and of course checking out Carrie’s steps as Camilla hadn’t been there before. I recommend visiting this part of the city so so so much!!

Now on the other hand, fun stuff is about to go down in Bergen. Tonight my love Eirín will speak about business and leadership at an event, and I will of course be there to cheer her on. After that we’re celebrating with some wine, and I cannot wait! It’s gonna be a great night, and I just know that my superstar is gonna kill it. See you tomorrow, babes♥

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Lørdagsformiddagen i New York ble tilbragt i mitt favorittområde i byen, West Village. Vi besøkte dette sjarmerende området kvelden før også, men Camilla og jeg ville gjerne tilbake i dagslys. Kjærestene våre fikk derfor masse tid til å sjekke ut Paragon Sport, som må være en av verdens beste sportsbutikker. De har absolutt alt av merker og ting til trening og forskjellige aktiviteter! Vi besøkte den vi jentene også, men vi hadde vel ikke det samme behovet for å tilbringe mye tid der som guttene, haha. Butikken ligger ved Union Square, og spaserer du et par avenuer vest og et par gater sør, befinner du deg plutselig i hjertet av West Village. Camilla og jeg storkoste oss i solskinnet, drakk vin på kjendisstedet The Spotted Pig (Jennifer Aniston, Beyoncé og Jay Z er bare noen av kjendisene som elsker dette stedet), besøkte Carries trapper ettersom C ikke hadde vært der før, besøkte kule butikker.. Vi storkoste oss, og jeg kan ikke anbefale et besøk til West Village nok.

Nå derimot, står noe veldig kjekt på planen her i Bergen. Min kjære Eirín skal holde foredrag om business på en event i regi av DNB i kveld, og jeg skal selvfølgelig være der for å heie på henne. Etter det skal vi feire med et par glass ute, og jeg har gledet meg hele uken! Jeg vet at Kristiansen kommer til å naile det, og jeg gleder meg masse til å høre foredraget hennes. Vi sees i morgen babes♥

14 Comments

3, May 2016 | 11:24

Tuesday Ten: New York Favorites

15 Comments | New York 2016, New York Tips

1 → Favorite place to have lunch

∴ Delicatessen, 54 Prince Street ∴

I know you’ve heard this a million times now, but Delicatessen is the best. Remember to order the truffle parmegiano fries!

2 → Favorite place to relax

∴ Central Park ∴

There’s no place I’d rather be!

3 → Favorite place to have dinner

∴ Mikado, 14th Street and 6th Avenue ∴

Unbelievably enough I don’t have any pictures of the best sushi ever, even though I’ve dined here a thousand times. Absolutely amazing sushi – but no good surroundings for cute pics. This is a totally relaxed sushi spot with good prices and heavenly food!

4 → Favorite place to stay

∴ Dream Downtown Hotel. 16th Street and 9th Avenue ∴

This is without a doubt the coolest hotel I’ve ever stayed at in New York! A little pricey, but totally worth it.

5 → Favorite place to spend a Saturday

∴ Brooklyn Flea, Williamsburg ∴

Shop, enjoy the view and have heavenly food from all the food vendors! A perfect Saturday in the city.

6 → Favorite place to shop

∴ SoHo ∴

When I’m in New York I actually don’t want to spend a lot of time shopping. The city is way too amazing to spend time inside of stores! But SoHo is good – awesome selection and everything is very concentrated. Remember to check out the side streets!

7 → Favorite sightseeing spot

∴ Rockefeller Center∴

Insane views of the city, lots of room on the observation deck (as opposed to Empire State Building), and an unforgettable experience. I recommend going just before sunset – that way you get to see the view both in daylight, during the sunset and at dark. Remember that the lines can be long, so come early!

8 → Favorite snack

∴ 16 Handles ∴

Fro Yo baby!! There’s tons of great places, but «16 Handles» is my favorite.

9 → Favorite time to visit

Either late April or early October. Spring is absolutely stunning in the city, and so is fall. During these periods it’s still warm outside, and the colors the city is surrounded in are simply spectacular. During summer it gets way too hot and humid, it rains a lot and all the cool New Yorkers are out of town/in the Hamptons.

10 → Favorite area to hang out

Greenwich Village & The West Village! Probably my absolute favorite area in the world.

What are your New York favorites?♥

15 Comments

19, April 2016 | 19:04

Where To Eat In New York

16 Comments | New York 2016, New York Tips

Delicatessen

54 Prince Street

This has been my favorite restaurant in New York for five years now, and I never get tired of it. Ulrikke and I used to go here so much when we both lived here! The biggest reason for visiting this spot it without a doubt the «Truffle-Parmigiano fries». Promise me that you won’t go here without having them! But all the food here is insanely good, and the crowd is always super fun and fashionable. This is a big celeb spot, which is always fun!

Yesterday we enjoyed a three course dinner here, and delicious wine. We sat here for hours! Our appetizer was «Cheeseburger spring rolls», which is one of the best things I’ve ever tried. YUMS! After that we both ordered the «Signature Burger» which was yummy, of course with the truffle fries. Ah, I’m getting a watery mouth just thinking about it! We drank a heavenly Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand with the dinner, which I warmly recommend. They really know how to make good wine in New Zealand!

• • • • • • • • • •

Dette har vært min favorittrestaurant i New York i 5 år nå, og jeg blir aldri lei. Ulrikke og jeg pleide å gå her sånn ca annenhver dag den sommeren vi begge bodde her, hah. Den største grunnen for et besøk her er uten tvil «Truffle-Parmigiano fries». Lov meg at du ikke besøker denne restauranten uten å prøve de utenomjordisk digge pommes frittesene med trøfler, basilikum og parmesan! All maten her er egentlig eksepsjonelt god, så du kan liksom ikke velge feil.. I tillegg er menneskene her alltid skikkelig gøy å se på – en stort kjendisspot!  Det er jo alltid gøy, hihi.

I går spiste vi en deilig treretters middag her. Vi startet med «Cheeseburger Spring Rolls», som må være noe av det beste jeg noengang har smakt. NAM! Etter den deilige forretten bestilte vi begge «Signature Burger», som var knallgod – selvsagt med truffle fries. Herregud, jeg får helt vann i munnen av å tenke på det! Vi drakk en deilig Sauvignon Blanc fra New Zealand til middagen, som anbefales på det varmeste. New Zealand kan sin vin, altså!

A little cappuccino is never a bad idea♥

• • • • • • • • • •

En liten cappuccino er aldri en dårlig idé♥

The dessert was to die for!! We had «Cinnamon Sugar Churros», and it was just.. Yums!! I had never tried churros before, and this definitely won’t be my last time. Recommended!!

• • • • • • • • • •

Desserten var to die for!! Vi bestilte «Cinnamon Sugar Churros», og de var bare.. NAM!! Jeg hadde aldri smakt churros før, og dette blir definitivt ikke den siste gangen jeg bestiller det for å si det sånn. Anbefales til tusen!

I hope you get to go here some day – it’s probably my favorite restaurant in the world. If you have any other tips on where to eat in the city, please share! We’ve already visited all my favorites, and now we’re ready to try something new. Lots of love♥

• • • • • • • • • •

Jeg håper virkelig dere får dratt her en dag, jeg tror det må være favorittrestauranten min i hele verden. Hvis du har noen andre tips til hvor vi kan spise i byen – please share! Vi har allerede besøkt alle mine favorittsteder, og nå er vi klare for å prøve noe nytt. Masse kjærlighet♥

16 Comments

19, April 2016 | 15:18

A New York Must Have

18 Comments | New York 2016, New York Tips

16 Handles Fro-Yo

A big must have for me every time I visit New York is fro-yo! I love the one at «16 Handles», but there’s a lot of fro-yo chains that are great. Earlier we didn’t have fro-yo in Norway, but now there’s a ton of places.. So maybe it’s not so special for you guys to try, but I never have it at home. It’s a New York-thing for me♥

• • • • • • • • • •

Et stort must have for meg hver eneste gang jeg besøker New York er frozen yoghurt! Jeg elsker den på «16 Handles», men det er flere fro yo-kjeder som er kjempegode. Tidligere hadde vi jo nesten ingen fro yo-steder i Norge, men nå har de tittet frem overalt. Derfor er det kanskje ikke såå spesielt for dere, men for meg er fro yo en New York-ting♥

My favorite flavor ever is the peanut butter one, but the cookies&cream, chocolate and vanilla are also amazing! And don’t forget the toppings.. YUM!

• • • • • • • • • •

Min favorittsmak noensinne er den med peanøttsmør, men cookies&cream, sjokolade og vanilje er også supergode. Og ikke glem toppings.. YUM!

Yesterday was spent in beautiful Williamsburg, which always fascinates me. It’s only one subway stop from Manhattan, but it’s a whole different world there! It’s so relaxed, chill, quirky and charming. My boyfriend had never been, and he absolutely loved it! During the weekends there’s a huge flea market here which I recommend visiting. We enjoyed our fro yo in East River State Park with this magical view, before we headed over to a cute restaurant and had lots of wine while people watching. It’s full summer here with 26º by the way. A perfect day!

• • • • • • • • • •

Gårsdagen ble tilbragt i nydelige Williamsburg, som alltid fascinerer meg. Det er bare ett subway-stopp fra Manhattan, men det er likevel en helt annen verden når du først kommer deg over til Brooklyn-siden. Det er så avslappet og sjarmerende. Kjæresten hadde aldri vært der, og han elsket det. Hver lørdag er det et stort loppemarked her som jeg anbefaler å besøke. Vi nøt fro yo’en vår i East River State Park helt nede ved elven, med denne magiske utsikten. Etterpå fant vi en koselig fortauscafé der vi drakk litt for mye vin, hihi. Det er forresten full sommer her, med 26º. En perfekt dag!

Now we’re off to get some breakfast! Have a wonderful day♥

• • • • • • • • • •

Nå skal vi ut for å spise frokost! Ha en nydelig dag♥

18 Comments

16, April 2016 | 14:42

A Tour of My Old Neighborhood

20 Comments | New York 2016, New York Tips

Greenwich Village, West Village and Union Square♥

Good morning from New York! As I mentioned yesterday, we spent the day walking around in my old neighborhood. It was of course super special for me, but I’m telling you – if you’re ever in New York; Spend a day doing exactly the same thing! These areas are just so incredibly amazing. The atmosphere is a totally different one than around Times Square and the typical touristy places. Here it’s much more relaxed, authentic, not as commercially driven and so much more personal. Take the subway to 14th street (pretty much all subways go here), and start walking!

• • • • • • • • • •

God morgen fra New York! Som jeg fortalte dere i går, tilbragte vi dagen i mitt gamle nabolag. Det var selvfølgelig ekstra spesielt for meg, men folkens – hvis dere noengang er i New York anbefaler jeg dere å gjøre akkurat det samme! Disse områdene er rett og slett så vidunderlige. Atmosfæren er en helt annen enn den du finner rundt Times Square of andre turiststeder. Her er alt så mye mer avslappet, autentisk, ikke like kommersielt og så mye mer personlig. Ta subwayen til 14th street (nesten alle subwayene går innom denne stasjonen), og ta beina fatt!

Anyone remember this corner? I took so many outfit pictures here in my early blog days! This is the corner of 13th street and 6th avenue, a perfect place to start your walking tour. A nice place to go after this is Union Square, which is by 14th street and 5th avenue. There is always so many fun things happening there! During the weekends there’s farmer’s markets there, and during the week there is always musicians playing, chess boards you can play at, or just relax in the sun. A little tip if you’re a Zara addict but you think the stores in SoHo and at the beginning of 5th ave is too crowded – walk a few streets up 17th street and you’ll find a great Zara with a little less people.

• • • • • • • • • •

Noen som husker dette hjørnet? Jeg tok så mange antrekksbilder her i mine tidlige bloggdager! Dette hjørnet er et super utgangspunkt for «walking touren». Et fint sted å rusle til etter dette er Union Square, som du finner ved 14th street og 5th avenue. Der er det alltid mye kjekt som skjer! I helgene er det farmer’s market der, og i ukedagene vil du alltid finne alt fra gatemusikanter til sjakkbrett du kan spille på. Ellers kan du selvfølgelig bare slappe av i den nydelige atmosfæren! Et lite tips hvis du er Zara-avhengig slik som meg, men syns butikkene i begynnelsen av 5th avenue eller SoHo er litt for voldsomme – ta en liten gåtur opp til 17th street herfra. Der finner du en nydelig Zara-butikk med litt mindre folk.

I walked by this corner, 14th street and 6th avenue, almost every day! Here you’ll find a huge Urban Outfitters store, which is always fun to visit. From here you can walk a few avenues over (to 9th), and you’ll be in the super popular Meatpacking District! This is where all the cool clubs are, the coolest hotels, super fancy stores and lots of celebs, hah. A few streets up and you’re in Chelsea, a magical area that’s simply a must!

• • • • • • • • • •

Jeg gikk forbi dette hjørnet, 14th street og 6th avenue, nesten hver eneste dag! Her finner du en gigantisk Urban Outfitters-butikk, som alltid er gøy å titte innom. Herfra kan du gå et par avenuer vestover (til 9.), og da befinner du deg plutselig i superpopulære Meatpacking District! Det er her de kuleste hotellene er, de fleste nattklubbene, de fancy butikkene og masse kjendiser, hah. Herfra kan du gå et par gater oppover og vandre i Chelsea, et nydelig område som må oppleves med haugevis av kunstgallerier.

But the biggest must on this walking tour is the West Village. I walked around here almost every single night! I took a stroll through the village, before I went all the way over to the Hudson River and power walked up to 42nd street then turned around. A long walk, but amazing every single time. It’s so energizing to walk by the amazing skyline and buildings! In West Village – keep your eyes open for celebs as many of them live here. Be sure to visit 66 Perry Street to see the famous Carrie Bradshaw’s steps! If you’re really on the hunt for celeb spotting – have lunch at The Spotted Pig and dinner at The Waverly In. Huge celeb favorites – apparently Beyoncé and Jay Z loved The Spotted Pig so much that they bought the entire building. Cool? YES!

• • • • • • • • • •

Men det største must’et er uten tvil West Village. Jeg pleide å gå her hver eneste kveld! Jeg startet ved 13 gate der jeg bodde, gikk de få minuttene bort til dette området og vandret litt rundt, før jeg gikk helt ut til Hudson River og powerwalk’et opp til 42. gate og snudde. En lang gåtur – men like fantastisk hver eneste kveld! Det finnes jo ikke noe mer energigivende enn å vandre langs de høye bygningene og den herlige skylinen. Og du – i West Village bør du holde øynene åpne for store kjendiser, ettersom flere av de bor her. Husk å besøke 66 Perry Street for å se de berømte trappene til Carrie Bradshaw! Hvis du virkelig vil spotte kjendiser; spis lunch på The Spotted Pig og middag på The Waverly In. Dette er store kjendisfavoritter, blant annet likte Beyoncé og JayZ The Spotted Pig så mye at de kjøpte hele bygningen restauranten ligger i, haha. Kult? JA!!

Around Times Square and 34th street  you almost can’t walk on the sidewalks, as it’s so crowded.. This is a typical street in my old neighborhood. So much nicer!

• • • • • • • • • •

Rundt områder som Times Square og 34th street kan du nesten ikke gå på fortauene ettersom det er så mye folk. Dette er en typisk gate i mitt gamle nabolag.. Så mye mer harmonisk og rolig!

I hope you will get to experience this exact walking tour one day lovelies, I warmly recommend it. Now we’re soon about to start our second day here, and we can’t decide between heading over to Central Park and enjoy that area, or take the L-train to Williamsburg in Brooklyn to check out the Brooklyn Flea. Have a lovely day♥

• • • • • • • • • •

Jeg håper virkelig at dere får oppleve disse fantastiske områdene en dag kjære dere, jeg anbefaler det så masse. Nå skal vi straks starte vår andre dag her, og vi klarer ikke å bestemme oss mellom å dra til Central Park og nyte området der, eller ta «the L-train» til Williamsburg i Brooklyn for å dra på Brooklyn Flea. Ha en nydelig lørdag♥

20 Comments

5, August 2013 | 18:16

My Best New York Tips Part Two

45 Comments | New York Tips

♦Soho♦

My absolute favorite area for shopping is Soho. All the biggest fashion houses in the world are represented here, as well as a heavenly mix of smaller boutiques and more unique stores. On the budget friendly side you’ll find chain stores like Topshop, Sephora, Zara, H&M and Urban Outfitters just to name a few, and if you’re looking for more high end stores you’ll find Chanel, Miu Miu and Prada, again just to name a few. The main street in Soho is mostly filled with chain stores, and the real treasure hunt starts once you start exploring the side streets. There are so many cute and cool boutiques hidden in the side streets. My favorite boutique in Soho is LF Stores, you can find it at 149 Spring Street. It’s filled with unique pieces and the customer service is beyond! It’s also a big celebrity favorite, I’ve spotted Bar Rafaeli there amongst others. Another favorite in Soho is “A Second Chance” (155 Prince Street), which is a high end vintage store. That’s where I found my Chanel, and they have such a good selection on every luxury brand you can think of. They have clothes, bags and accessories, and it’s like a little piece of girly heaven.

If you’re planning to shop in Soho, I would recommend doing a little research on forehand. The area is so crowded and can be quite overwhelming, and it’s easy to get stuck in the main street with only chain stores. Try to get a little overview of the area before you hit the splurging spree, and the shopping will go way more smoothly.

♦Meatpacking District♦

If you’re a big spender, the Meatpacking district is a good place to go. Here you’ll find high end stores like Moschino, DvF and Alexander McQueen, and Jeffrey which is a department store with luxury brands. Personally I don’t really like shopping in the Meatpacking though, the stores are a little too stiff for my taste. But it’s definitely fun to check it out, if not for shopping then at least to check out all the stylish people who hang out there. If you want to spot a celeb or two (who doesn’t?!), this area is your best bet! I’ve spotted several cast members from Gossip Girl there, need I say more? If you go there, be sure to check out Chelsea Market, that’s a fabulous place to shop for unique pieces in the middle of the jungle of stiff overpriced boutiques.

♦5th Avenue♦

Shopping at 5th Avenue is of course a must if you’re in New York. You’ll find huge extravagant stores and warehouses like Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue there, and all the biggest fashion houses are also represented with their own stores. It’s really an experience to go shopping at 5th ave, the store windows are literally like art, and the buildings are so inspiring. In addition to the high end stores you’ll find several Zaras, H&Ms, Urban Outfitters and more budget friendly stores there, but it’s definitely the high end stores that are best represented. Be sure to stop by Saks, it’s such an amazing warehouse, and the shoe department on the top is so ridiculously big that it has its own zip code!! Saks is definitely where I tend to overly splurge in New York. Right next to Saks there is this amazingly beautiful church, and every time I’m in New York I go in there to light a candle for my Grandmother. I always get so emotional and my makeup gets totally ruined because of the tears, so when I cross the street and enter Saks I always feel like I need to compensate with splurging just so I don’t seem so weird, haha. So that’s a tip for you, go to the church after Saks, at least that’s what I need to do in the future!

♦Madison Avenue♦

One of the things I love in New York is spotting people who actually live there, not tourists. Especially when shopping on 5th avenue I was like “Where are the real life Blairs and Serenas of New York?!?”. All I could see was tourists! The secret is that the native New Yorkers mostly shop at Madison Avenue, because 5th avenue is so full of tourists. Madison Avenue is right next to 5th, and is just as filled with luxury stores at 5th, but not so much the budget friendly ones. It’s a gorgeous and extravagant avenue which I definitely recommend visiting. You’ll find Barney’s there which is my favorite high end warehouse, and the rest of the street is excellent for window shopping, haha.

♦Brooklyn♦

Brooklyn is like a little piece of vintage heaven! You absolutely have to go! Go during the weekend to check out the Brooklyn Flea, a fab flea market right by the river, and afterwards you can check out all the amazing vintage boutiques in Williamsburg. To get there, take the L train from 14th street just across the river, and you’ll find yourself right in the middle of the vintage mekka. The atmosphere in Brooklyn is so magical, and so much more calm then New York. Be sure to check out Beacon’s Closet (88 n 11th street), and all the little boutiques you’ll pass when walking around.

♦34th Street♦

34th street isn’t exactly a favorite spot to shop for me, but I thought I’d include it. Here you can find mostly chain stores, but also Macy’s, which is the biggest department store in the world. If you’re traveling with your boyfriend chances are he’s gonna love Macy’s, they actually have a very good men’s department. You’ll also find Victoria’s Secret’s flagship store here, which is an amazingly pretty store! Don’t be surprised if you suddenly spot one of the Victoria’s Secret angels in there, they do appearances there all the time.

♦Delicatessen♦ 54 Prince St

Delicatessen must be my favorite spot to dine in New York, at least for lunch. It’s right by the main shopping street in Soho, so it’s perfect to schedule in a little shopping break there. My favorite thing on the menu are the Truffle Parmegian fries, they must be one of the yummiest things I’ve ever tasted!! My favorite thing to order there is Mini Sliders with truffle fries, you have to try it!! It’s a very popular spot and celebs go there all the time, which is always fun. The interior is super cool, and this might seem weird but they have the coolest bathrooms I’ve ever seen, haha. I won’t even go into detail, I’ll just tell you that you’ll have lots of eye candy to enjoy while doing your business.

♦Mikado Sushi♦ 525 6th Avenue

This isn’t a fancy place at all, but my God!! They have the best sushi in the world! I discovered Mikado when I lived on 13th street, and Mikado was right around the corner. After going there once, I was sold, and I often had both breakfast, lunch and dinner there. I think it’s safe to say that I was there at least once a day. The sushi is super cheap (we’re talking $4 for a maki), and the place is very relaxed. If you want to go to a more hip sushi place you could try Samba Sushi in Greenwich Village, but nothing beats my beloved Mikado.

♦Tao♦  42 E 58th St

Tao has become a big hit for Norwegian tourists in New York, and with good reason. It’s an incredibly cool spot, and the food is heavenly. It’s where Carrie and the girls had dinner in Sex and the City, if any of you recall the episode where they dined next to a huge Buddha statue? My favorite thing on the menu is the Orange Crispy Chicken, it’s extremely yummy. This is the kind of place you go before a girl’s night out, or if you just want a fancy dinner. Dress up and enjoy the cool atmosphere!

♦Gobo♦ 401 avenue of the americas

Gobo is a really cool vegetarian restaurant in West Village. The menu is based on small dishes and quick bites, which I love. This way you can taste a little bit of everything, and everything is soo good! I loved this restaurant so much that I brought my parents there when they were visiting me, and especially my dad was pretty sceptical to the fact that everything was vegetarian. After finishing our dinner Gobo was one of his favorite restaurants too! Ask what the staff recommends and have them put together a little surprise menu for you, I promise you you’ll love it!

♦Lombardi’s♦ 32 Spring Street

If you’re looking for the best pizza in New York, Lombardi’s is the place to go! It’s one of the first pizzerias in the US, and is actually a big tourist attraction as well as a great place to have pizza. The historical restaurant has been featured in several movies and TV series, and the pizza is simply to die for.

♦Hakkasan♦ 311 W 43rd St

I actually haven’t visited this restaurant in New York, but I’ve been to the one in London and it’s such an amazing spot to dine! It’s a bit pricey, so like Tao this is the kind of place you dress up and enjoy a fancy dinner in a majorly cool atmosphere.

♦Pastis♦ 9 9th Ave

Pastis is a french restaurant in the heart of the Meatpacking District, with a fabulous menu of French yumminess. It’s an incredibly popular spot, and this is the kind of place where people spotting and dining go hand in hand. Try to get a table for Sunday brunch there, you won’t regret it! Pastis has also been featured in Sex and the City, which is always fun.

♦Max Brenner♦ 841 Broadway (Right by Union Square)

Max Brenner is a chocolate restaurant, and yes, it’s every bit as heavenly as it sounds! This is a complete must for all my fellow chocolate lovers! I think they have a menu with regular dishes as well, but I’ve always just skipped straight to the dessert when heading here, haha. They have the most insane desserts where chocolate obviously is the main ingredient, and they have the cutest chocolate gift shop by the entrance. I recommend the chocolate fondue, one of the best things I’ve ever tasted!

♦The Standard Grill♦ 848 Washington St

Again, just as much of a people spotting place as a dining place, haha. It’s located in the hip Meatpacking district, and it’s a part of the coolest hotel in New York; The Standard. The decor is super chic, and the menu includes one yummy thing after another! After dinner, take the elevator up to the rooftop club The Boom Boom Room, and you’ll have a night you’ll never forget!

♦The Spotted Pig♦ 314 W 11th St

Okay, so I’m really not as celebrity obsessed as I seem, but this restaurant is also a great place for celeb spotting, haha. When I lived in New York I always took late night walks in the West Village, and almost every night there were so many paparazzies waiting outside this restaurant for the celebs inside to come out. The restaurant is incredibly charming and unique, one of my favorite places to dine in New York for sure! It’s fancy in a completely relaxed and almost dorky way. Jennifer Aniston always goes here and gets the grilled cheese sandwich (which of course Tonje and I had to try, and we can back Jennifer up on that, it’s to die for!), and rumor has it JayZ loved this restaurant so much that he bought the whole building that the restaurant is in. Be sure to order a side of fries when you go here, they’re ridiculously yummy! I bet those fries are the reason JayZ bought the place, they’re just so damn good..

♦The Waverly Inn♦ 16 Bank St

Oh yes, you know it, another celeb spot!! Like The Spotted Pig, this place is incredibly charming and cosy. Rumor has it that earlier you had to know the owner of this place to be able to book a table, because they’re so protective of their clientele (read: celebrities). Stine and I enjoyed a few glasses of wine there, and the waiter could tell us that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had just left!! Darnit!! It’s really pricey here, so unless you want to spend way more cash than necessary, just enjoying a few drinks here is fine.

♦Flavaboom♦ 600 6th ave

I can’t do a post on food in New York without mentioning FlavaBoom. It’s my favorite place for frozen yoghurt in New York. I have so many good memories attached to that place! When I spent the summer there in 2011, FlavaBoom is one of the places Lisa and I bonded over, haha. She had a busy work schedule, but the evening walk up to FlavaBoom for some fro-yo was mandatory every single night. The fro-yo place Pinkberry is all over town, but I’ll tell you, Pinkberry has nothing on FlavaBoom, trust me!! A fun twist is that you help yourself to everything you want, with 10 flavors and 40 toppings to choose from, then just pay after how much your yumminess weighs at the checkout. Majorly recommended!

So, that’s a wrap on part two of my New York tips! I’m so sorry that it came out way later than I told you!! Now I’m wondering if there’s anything else you want me to do a post on when it comes to New York tips? What are you wondering? Let me know and I’ll do a post on it♥

45 Comments

28, May 2013 | 19:07

My Best New York Tips Part One

40 Comments | New York Tips

Finally the big New York post is ready, with all my favorite tips and recommendations. I hope it comes in handy to those of you who have New York trips planned in the foreseeable future. I planned to just do one big post, but as I was writing I saw that it would’ve been way too big. Therefore I’ll divide my tips into two posts, and I also created a category with New York tips so they will be easier for you to find. Enjoy girls♥


Basically as long as you’re on Manhattan, I think you’re fine. The subway system is amazing so it’s no problem getting from A to B no matter where you stay. And as we all know, yellow cabs aren’t exactly a rarity in New York either. If you’re planning a trip to the city, I would recommend looking for good offers at pages like hotels.com or booking.com, that’s what I always do. I’ve been lucky and found crazy discounts every time I’ve gone. I think it’s better to have a little more pocket money than staying at a fancy hotel, you shouldn’t spend too much time there anyway. Hotels in the Times Square area are most often the cheapest, which is OK, especially if it’s the first time you’re going and think Times Square is fun. I would definitely recommend staying downtown instead though, the atmosphere is so much more real and magic than the touristy area around Times Square. To me, that area isn’t the real New York, downtown is. If you find something around 14th street that’s the best! You’ll have great subway connections, walking distance to the hottest clubs and stores, and the atmosphere is so relaxed and cool. But again, prioritize pocket money for experiences and shopping rather than a fancy hotel.

I’ve gotten a lot of questions on my own experiences on the hotels I’ve stayed at, so I thought I’d share the three last ones I’ve visited.

The Milford was pretty, and the rooms were fresh. A big minus was the location, as it’s almost in the middle of Times Square and the Broadway musical district. At night I seriously had to stand in line at the curb just to get in to the hotel, because the area out front was so crowded with people headed to Broadway shows. In the mornings when I got outside it was like a stress wave slapped me in the face. So many stressed out people overcrowded the street, which I didn’t like. But other than that it was good.

The location was a little bit better at Stay Hotel, even though it’s just a few streets up. The hotel was super modern and nice, definitely recommended if you don’t mind the location.

My absolute favorite hotel in New York is Dream Downtown. It’s by far the best hotel I’ve ever visited, and living there was an experience in itself. Where do I begin – the design is out of this world cool, the location is perfect, one of New York’s hottest clubs is on the roof so just an elevator ride up, the staff is super nice (and hot!!).. A lot of celebrities stay there, with good reason. It’s located on 16th street, so it’s in the Chelsea/Meatpacking area. Right around the corner is the Chelsea market (which I’ll come back to in the next post), and all the hottest clubs on Manhattan. Within walking distance is West Village which is my favorite area of New York, Union Square, the Meatpacking District and the Highline park, just to name a few. The hotel has an amazing view over the city, a pool which is a huge rarity in New York, great restaurants and the hotel is just super fancy and ridiculously cool. There’s only two downsides I can think of, which weren’t a very big deal. Even though it was super fun to have a night club on the roof, the music was so loud all night, and the bed was actually shaking to the beat of the music they played up there. Some nights I almost couldn’t sleep because of it. The other downside, which isn’t really a downside, is that there’s sooo many fancy and hot people there, so we almost didn’t dare to go through the lobby without serious outfit planning and styling, haha. In the evenings the lobby was filled with more models than there’s yellow cabs in New York (or at least it felt like it), and if you stay there the chances of running into a celebrity or two are pretty big. But again, no big deal, it was mostly just fun.

Bottom line, if you can afford it, book this hotel!!

Other hotels that are really cool are The Standard and Gansevoort, both located in the meatpacking district. I really want to stay there the next time I go!!

The first thing you should do when arriving in New York is to buy a Metro card for your whole stay. It’s cheaper than taxis, it can actually be quicker than taking a cab because of the traffic, and it’s just a fun experience riding the subway with all the New Yorkers. I love just sitting there doing people watching so much that I’ve lost count over how many times I’ve forgotten to get off at the right stop, haha. Be sure to download the app ‘NYC Subway’ to your phone, and getting from A to B shouldn’t be a problem at all. Now that we have transportation covered, let’s bring on the fun stuff to do!

♦Renting bicycles in Central Park♦

Central Park is of course a must, but the park is so enormous that it will probably take the whole day to see everything. Renting bicycles is the way to go if you want to see as much of the park as possible. Not only is it a great way of sightseeing in the gorgeous park, but it’s also super fun to ride around and take in the atmosphere. There’s so many things to see in the park, so that’s a big fun must!

♦Broadway Show♦

Maybe a cliché tip, but the Broadway shows in New York are incredible! The music, the costumes, the actors, the dancers.. It’s so inspiring, feel-good and such a good time!

♦Comedy show♦

I always try to visit a comedy show when I’m in the city. The Comic Strip Live on the Upper East Side is by far the best one! It’s New York’s eldest comedy club, and famous comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock were discovered here. Most of the comedians performing are well known from TV, and seriously just so hysterically funny! Somehow their bits always revolve around sex though, so maybe skip this one if you’re traveling with your parents. Believe you me, I brought my parents there and it was beyond awkward, haha. They always interact a lot with the audience so this isn’t the place to be shy. I would go in the end of the week. I was there with my cousin on a Monday and it wasn’t nearly as good as it’s been earlier.

♦A helicopter ride over the city♦

I’ve never done this, but I have friends who’ve done it and they all say it’s a-m-a-z-i-n-g!! The view is sick, and the whole experience of riding a helicopter seems like such an adrenalin rush!

♦Do Yoga in Bryant Park♦

Another thing I haven’t done myself, but it looks like so much fun! Bryant Park is a must see, there’s always fun things happening in the park. When it’s yoga there the huge lawn is filled with hundreds of people and one instructor on a stage, surrounded by tall buildings and the busy New York life. I definitely want to try that sometime.

Me in Bryant Park two years ago

♦Go to the movies♦

Maybe an odd tips, but I definitely recommend a trip to the movies on Times Square! It’s such a fun experience with the huge theaters, and the classic red velvet seats. The sodas and snacks are beyond huge, and everyone talks and comments during the movie. I just love it! If it’s raining one night while you’re there, head to the movies! And remember, there’s no shame in going alone, everyone does it and I did it all the time when I lived there.

♦Brooklyn♦

Spend a day in Brooklyn if you get the chance! The atmosphere there is completely different from Manhattan, I can’t pinpoint what it is, but it’s so different. Relaxed, chill, cool, and incredibly charming! There are so many hip people to spot, and so many cute places to see.

♦Museums♦

You should definitely try to squeeze in a trip to one of the numerous museums in New York while visiting. Head to MoMa if you want to see modern and untraditional art, or the American Museum of Natural History if you want to be amazed by real dinosaur fossils and the amazing animal worlds. Other cool museums are of course the Met and Guggenheim, just to name a few.

♦Wander around♦

One of the most fun things I know in the city is just wander around in new areas, especially the first time when everything was so  new to me. Forget the map, the tourist attractions and the day plans, and just see where the city takes you. Talk to the people you meet on the streets, take in the atmosphere and get inspired by the architecture, the people, the boutiques, the smells, the sounds, everything! My fave place for wandering is the West Village.


 

 

♦Rockefeller Center + Empire State Building♦

The view from Rockefeller Center and Empire State Building is simply magical. I prefer Rockefeller Center because it’s much more spacious and less crowded. If your budget isn’t too tight, I would recommend visiting one of the buildings during a clear day, and the other one at night.

♦Brooklyn Bridge♦

Walking over Brooklyn bridge and relaxing in the park on the Brooklyn side is a big must! The whole experience is just so amazing, romantic, and again, magical. I would recommend starting on the Brooklyn side so that you can take in the view over the skyline to the fullest. Don’t forget to visit the park underneath the bridge, the view from there is surreal.

♦Times Square♦

A very touristy place, but of course a must see. Go at night and check out the huge billboards and the red steps, it’s pretty cool!

♦Central Park♦

It goes without saying, visit Central Park!! If you have time, enjoy a full day there and just relax. Read a book on the Great Lawn, visit famous places like Strawberry Fields, watch the dancing acts that are always to be found around in the park, dine at the Boathouse Restaurant, rent a boat and row around in the lake.. There’s so much to do there!

♦Ground Zero♦

Ground Zero is a very emotional place to visit, but I definitely recommend a visit. You can get guided tours of the area every day, and learn so much about what happened that horrible day. The new tower they’re building, Freedom Tower, is almost finished, it’s h-u-g-e!!

♦The statue of Liberty♦

The statue of Liberty also a must see if you’re in the city. If you have time check out the museum on Ellis Island to learn more about the history, and do a boat ride around the island. If you don’t have much time or your cultural budget is tight, grab a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. It’s free and goes right past the statue so you’ll get a great view.

♦The view from Hoboken♦

If you have time one night I would take the train over to New Jersey/Hoboken and enjoy the view of the skyline. I feel like I’ve used the word ‘magical’ way too much in the post, but seriously, the view is magical!! Haha. If you have a very tight schedule this tip can probably be skipped, but it’s definitely worth the trip over.

♦5th Avenue♦

5th Avenue is also probably a cliché tip, but it really deserves a visit, and not only for the shopping. Get inspired by the amazing store windows, visit the churches, the New York City Library, Bryant Park, the big expensive warehouses, and of course people watch. I love to try to spot the real New Yorkers, or should I say Upper East Siders, often characterized by ridiculously expensive handbags and faces that have been victims of even more ridiculous amounts of plastic surgery.

♦Carrie’s steps♦

If you’re a Sex and the City fan like me, Carrie’s steps is a huuge must! In the series her apartment was located on the upper east side, but in reality the apartment used for filming can be found in the West Village. 66 Perry Street, to be more precise. Be sure to take pictures there, and after that you can head over to Magnolia Bakery and buy cupcakes, just like Carrie and Miranda did.

Puh!! I think I’ll end it here. I feel like there are so many tips I’ve forgotten, so feel free to add tips if you have some. Also if you have any questions, bring ’em on :)

The next post will include my best shopping tips, dining tips and where to go out! Don’t miss it ladies♥

40 Comments

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Categories

Archive

Facebook

Bloglovin

.

Copyright © 2025 · Minimalist Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in