Good Morning & Hello Friday!!

• I’m back!! I must say taking a week off for Thanksgiving was a great idea. I’m way too hardcore about always doing what I’ve set out to do and I need to cut myself some slack (that might be a New Year’s Resolution!).
• This week’s blog provides tips for those visiting NYC over the holidays, as well as a recap of what Joe S. and I observed around town on Black Friday as the Holiday Season kicked off. (#1, 2, 3, 4 below).
• Also check out my picks for 2022’s best new restaurants (#5) as well as my 10 Best Things to See and Do list (#6). NOTE: I’m aware it’s all very Manhattan-centric but that’s my jam these days, I don’t get to Brooklyn too much anymore.
• And finally, two new podcasts I’ve been binge-watching for the last few weeks (#8).

And with that please scroll down for this week’s ZandlSlant.

2022 HOLIDAY WINDOWS & BLACK FRIDAY WINNERS

1. Hudson Yards

• I LOVE Hudson Yards. And the people shopping there clearly love it so I don’t quite understand why so many people (especially NYTimes writers) so love to hate on it.
• Hudson Yards has one of the most spectacular Christmas setups in the city — although I do think it is time to switch it up. This is the 3rd year in a row they’ve used the exact same decor.
• The busiest stores on Black Friday (mid-afternoon), were: STUDS (a small store but totally jam-packed), UNIQLO, LULULEMON (big sales), CAMP (a kids’ experience center), and ZARA (although their stores at HY are hideous with garish lighting and closeout store layout and displays). Photos below.
• Although retail can be hit or miss, HY’s restaurants are booming: SHAKE SHACK (line out the door), BLUE BOTTLE, PEAK (booked solid for both lunch and dinner), and MERCADO LITTLE SPAIN always busy.
• But THE EDGE is Hudson Yard’s big draw!! Almost every tourist coming into HY was asking how to get there. NOTE: If you dine at PEAK you get a free visit to the Edge directly from the restaurant!!

Hudson Yards Retail Winners

2. Macy’s 34th Street — busiest store in NYC!

1. The Macy’s windows were underwhelming but the stream of shoppers entering the store — to actually shop — was VERY IMPRESSIVE.
2. The entire area along 34th Street near Macy’s was chock-a-block with families on a shopping mission.

3. Bryant Park Winter Village — a must-see!

1. Bryant Park’s Winter Village might actually be more popular than Rockefeller Center’s Ice Skating Rink.
2. The Holiday Market, the Lodge, the Igloos, and the free ice skating make it a great destination for visitors and locals alike.

4. Fifth Avenue

1. Fifth Avenue was JAM-PACKED from 42nd Street all the way to 59th Street. It was almost claustrophobic.
2. With the exception of North Face, few stores had long lines. And I was too exhausted from battling the crowds to ask anyone what they were hoping to purchase.
3. The Bergdorf windows were ho-hum (as were Bloomingdale’s). It made me wonder if our daily exposure to hyped-up visuals on Instagram and TikTok (not to mention immersive experiences, e.g., the Vuitton 200 trunks show), has desensitized us to the pleasures of mere window displays. THOUGHTS???
4. BUT not all was lost. While Bergdorf’s windows disappointed, their swanky bar/cafe (GOODMANS) on the 2nd Floor of the BG Men’s store was an absolute delight. Highly recommend checking it out if you’re in the neighborhood but make sure you have a reservation unless you happen to go with my friend Joe, in which case they’ll whisk you right in!

RESTAURANTS

5. 2022’s Five Best New Restaurants (according to me!)

1. Le Gratin, Chef Daniel Boulud’s new spot, opened in May in the Beekman Hotel. I checked it out in my typical “eat at the bar” fashion. Extremely happy with the food and the service but absolutely thrilled to be warmly greeted by the GM and key waitstaff who I knew from a prior restaurant. Boulud is frequently on-site and if you’re lucky you might also meet the amazing pastry chef, Krystin Onash (pics below).
2. House of the Red Pearl soft-opened in September in Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Tin Building on Pier 17. It’s taken months to staff up the entire operation but every person I’ve encountered is top-notch. They’ve also just announced that they now take reservations and are open 7 days a week. Up until recently, I’ve managed to snag a seat at the bar, but lately, that’s proven difficult as more people learn about the place. A WORD OF CAUTION: Most of the menu items skew a little spicy which I love but if your palate veers to the milder side, order carefully. My faves are the spicy three-nut noodles, the cucumbers, the pork and shrimp wontons (we usually get 2 orders!!), the roast duck with steamed buns (if available), and for dessert, the mango sago pudding!
3. Le Dive opened in May. I checked it out the first week. I’m still dreaming about their tinned sardines (DIVINE!). This place (as is typical of all of Jon Neidich’s spots) has blown up and it’s now impossible to get in. But still, recommend giving it a try.
4. Corner Bar in the newly opened Nine Orchard Hotel is fantastic. After having my first dinner there (at the bar, of course), I begged and pleaded with them to let me have my birthday dinner there in August. It’s a 44-seat restaurant so they weren’t keen on taking 16 seats out of circulation for my dinner but they finally caved and it was beyond!!! Probably one of my very best birthdays ever. So thank you Jason, Ignacio, and Rachel for making my birthday dreams come true!
5. Laser Wolf on the rooftop at the Hoxton Hotel in Williamsburg is another amazing new spot. To this day, impossible to snag a reservation. Shortly after they opened, I pulled my “get there early, ask to sit at the bar” trick and it worked. I have tried to get back there since but no luck.

LASER WOLF

Le Dive

Le gratin

House of the Red Pearl/ Tin Bldg

Corner Bar (Nine Orchard Hotel)

BUT — Let’s not forget my “always” favorites: PEASANT (where I will be hosting my Holiday Party this year), PEAK, THE FULTON, and LUDLOW HOUSE. These four, consistently deliver the most joyful dining experiences for me: delicious food, great staff, wonderful ambiance. All around, TOTALLY EXCELLENT VIBE.

BEST THINGS TO SEE/DO IN NYC

6. my top 10

NYC is first and foremost a walking city. Unless the weather is ridiculous, I always recommend walking. It’s the best way to explore and experience any city but especially New York. I always discover something exciting and new when I’m traipsing around town.

• The MET. My favorite museum in NYC. It’s huge and could easily be overwhelming but I make it a habit to check out only one or two shows at a time.
• Central Park. What a gift to all New Yorkers. There are so many beautiful things to see in the park. My favorites include the Bethesda Terrace and Fountain, the Delacorte Clock, and The Conservatory Garden!
• Rockefeller Center. There is ALWAYS something spectacular going on here – and it changes by season. This week, the Christmas tree got lit and the ice skating rink is open (but it’s not free). There are now also some wonderful restaurants in the area. I especially like Lodi (same owner as Corner Bar). Also, nearby you can check out Sak’s, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Lego flagship, the Nike Innovation Store, an outstanding Apple Store, plus many other retailers and restaurants.
• The Highline (runs from Hudson Yards down to the Meatpacking district). This is one of my favorite walks. The views are fantastic. I try to go early in the day because it can get really crowded.
• South Street Seaport – especially Pier 17. Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s new Tin Building recently opened and it is amazing. The interiors are by Roman & Williams so you know how utterly beautiful they are. There are at least 10 restaurants in the building. I’ve only been to House of The Red Pearl. The Fulton, another JGV restaurant, is also nearby and a favorite of mine for brunch.
• Chinatown. I’m in this area at least once a week if not more. I buy fruit from street vendors, I patronize Chinese supermarkets and there are a few good restaurants where I do takeout. I especially like Xian Famous Foods at 45 Bayard Street (it’s very spicy!) and I love Keki Modern Cakes at 79 Mott (get the Ube cream puffs – AMAZING!). It’s a great area to wander around – and just keep in mind that all good restaurants will have a line out the door. Use that as your guide.
• Soho is another great area for wandering around and exploring. I’d recommend strolling up Broadway from Canal to Houston and check out any of the sidestreets that catch your eye.
• Nolita is adjacent to Soho with lots of cool stores and restaurants. I also highly recommend you check out the Elizabeth Street Garden where I saw Patti Smith being interviewed by CBS the other week (it’s between Prince and Spring). It’s also close to one of my all-time favorite restaurants, Peasant.
• Two Dimes Area/Lower East Side. This is a really hip, young area at the tail end of Orchard and Ludlow Streets. I’d recommend walking from Houston down to Canal on either of those two streets. Lots of cool boutiques, restaurants, bars, and galleries along the way.
• ARTS & CULTURE. If you’re into Broadway shows, musical performances (both classic and contemporary), comedy, and museums and galleries, NYC has it in droves. I see a lot of art and I would say Chelsea is still where you’ll find the greatest collection of major galleries although many are adding outposts in Tribeca. I’m also a big fan of comedy and NYC is an amazing town to catch acts by the best whether it’s Andrew Schulz at Radio City or Mark Normand at the East Village Comedy Club. If you’re into jazz, check out the Blue Note. The Beacon and Sony Music Hall are two great spots for music as well. THE MESSAGE: If you get bored in NYC, it’s on you because it’s impossible to run out of things to do in this city.

NYC IN A NUTSHELL

7. Three things I especially APPRECIATE about the city

• NEVER BORING. I step out of my building and there’s always something going on from new pop-ups to crazy art openings, to cool young folk heading to Ray’s or Loreley, to thousands of fans lining up to see Air Rack (who I found out has 10MM followers on YouTube).
• BEAUTIFUL. I especially love the parks and the waterfront. Also, so many exquisite buildings both historic (my faves) as well as modern, architectural masterpieces, e.g., the gorgeous Zaha Hadid building in Chelsea by the Highline.
• THE SUBWAY. There is no more efficient or inexpensive way to get around town than by subway. I take it regularly although less often late at night than I used to. BUT I will not lie, crime is up (no matter what our democratic elites try to tell us). My solution to the crime problem is to strip the political elites of their drivers and security details (which we pay for), have them take the subway just like we do, and I guarantee you that overnight, there would be a new approach to crime.

IN OTHER NEWS

8. Podcasts: binge-watching these two lately

1. Cody & Noel are new to me and I LOVE their wry sense of humor. Episode 259 had me cracking up at their convo about taking a walk with a new guy friend, working out with someone who claims to be Kanye’s trainer, and most hilariously, a motivational speech by Chet Hanks (Tom Hanks’ son) that REALLY goes off the rails. Give it a whirl and see if you like it.
2. If you’re interested in their backstory and how they’ve gone from being engineers to comedians with over a million followers, check out their interview on Colin and Samir’s podcast.
3. NOTE: I don’t watch every episode but #259 (above) is stellar!

1. I ADORE Lex Fridman. So incredibly smart and so lovable and nice. I’m hoping my European friends, especially those in the Netherlands, might find this episode with Guido van Rossum, the developer of Python as fascinating as I did (even tho I know nothing about coding but I am super curious about it).
2. Lex was also recently on Huberman’s podcast discussing his visit to Ukraine. It was fascinating. If what’s going on there is of any interest to you, I suggest you watch the following 40 mins:
3. 00:12:11 Ukraine, Russia, War & Geopolitics 00:23:17 Conflict & Generalized Hate 00:26:23 Typical Day in Ukraine; American Military & Information Wars 00:38:42 Deliberate Cold Exposure & Sauna; Fertility 00:46:44 Ukraine: Science, Infrastructure & Military; Zelensky 00:53:33 Firearms; Violence & Sensitization

9. Big shoutout to Apple Online Support – so good!!

1. I’ve used Apple Support a few times over the last few years and I must say, the service is EXCELLENT.
2. I’d always thought going into the store and using the genius bar would be a better option but it is NOT.
3. Most of the problems I end up needing help with tend to be complicated enough that the support person has to send them up a level or two. That was the case this week but the woman who helped me was fantastic. So thank you Apple!!

And that’s a wrap for this week.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!