NEW YORK WITH JIALI YANG
NAME: Jiali Yang
SOCIALS: @jialiyang
WHAT DO YOU DO: PR at Karen Walker
STAR SIGN: Scorpio/Sagittarius (On the cusp)
LIVING: New Zealand
SLEEP
Although much of the city’s very accessible and every neighbourhood has its charms, SoHo’s hard to beat.
As soon as you step into the dark, minimalist lobby you feel calmer already. A wonderful stay for both work trips and holidays.
Ace Hotel New York, Midtown If you’re needing to be near Midtown, the Ace is an ideal spot. They also run a pretty packed event calendar and there’s always something happening.
EAT
No matter where you are, or what time it is, you’ll always find something good, or new to try. A few favourites…
Café Habana, Nolita On a busy corner of Nolita is this tiny Cuban/Mexican gem. The grilled corn with mayo, chilli powder, cotija cheese and lime is a MUST!
Sometimes nothing beats a pot of tea and warm lavender-laced cookies in the garden courtyard of a sweet little cafe.
Have waited over an hour for a table here, for a bagel, but it was the best smoked salmon bagel of my life! This charming spot is the sit-down version of its legendary 104-year-old store, still nearby in its original location and still run by the same family.
I love this minimalist, Japanese-inspired way of dining. A dedicated sushi chef prepares your order in front of you, serving you only one piece at a time.
On most “Best Pizza in New York” lists and it lives up to the hype. Get the caprese slice! And plain cheese too. When in New York, right?
As per the name, arepas (Venezuelan corn pockets stuffed with fillings) are the specialty here. Order one each with a side of fried plantains and the crazy good fresh passionfruit juice.
Food Deliveries
There’s no shortage of great places that’ll deliver to you at almost any time of day. Highlights include: By Chloe’s quinoa taco salad, La Esquina tacos and Sweetgreen’s watermelon and feta salad.
DO
If it’s your first time visiting, the classics are worth doing and there’ll be so many “only-in-New-York” vignettes you’ll experience along the way…
Walk across Brooklyn Bridge, go bike riding in Central Park (with a spot of row boating in summer or ice skating in winter), walk the High Line (and admire Zaha Hadid’s first residential building along the way), see a Broadway show (Wicked’s always good), discover the best street food at Smorgasburg, trawl Williamsburg for the perfect pair of Vintage Levi’s, explore the museums (timed with sunset on the Met’s rooftop), visit the 9/11 Memorial, find your zodiac on the Grand Central Terminal ceiling, have brunch at Balthazar, head uptown to Bergdorf’s or Barneys (both have incredible shoe departments) and go to a Yankees or Rangers game!
A little out of the way but a delightful mission getting to by ferry. On your return, hop off the ferry at Roosevelt Island and take the cable car back into Manhattan. It’s free if you have a metro card and quite the surreal experience.
We were gifted a spa experience here on our last trip and it was a very much appreciated activity on our final day. Inspired by ancient Roman and Greek traditions, you move between thermal baths ranging from 39°C (my fave) down to 13°C (an ice bath!!!), a flotarium (salt water pool) and an aromatherapy steam room.
SHOP
SoHo/Nolita – home to the some of the best concept stores that make shopping IRL an enjoyable experience again; Glossier, Byredo, The Ordinary, McNally Jackson Books, Mansur Gavriel, Outdoor Voices, Everlane and Reformation…to name a few.
The absolute SoHo dream! This third-floor loft entered from Greene Street via a tiny elevator showcases a curated selection of fashion, home and beauty items as well as original artwork, all styled just perfectly. The claw-foot tub and enormous vintage Moroccan rugs are star pieces, but be sure to spend time in the walk-in closet too – I recently spotted Loewe, Jacquemus and Acne pieces on sale.
On the Lower East Side, this delightful store carries the designer’s own collection, including the perfect round-toe block heels and Palma sandals in a dozen colours, alongside an edit of cult favourites.
With seven floors and a basement packed full of #fashun, you’ll always leave DSM feeling inspired!
I’m a total sucker for anything customizable and love to bring back Le Labo as mementos “for the house” when I’m away.
On too many occasions I’ve popped in for just a cold drink and left with a tote bag full of snacks and 4 types of cold-pressed juice.
PACK
Above all else, “sensible walking shoes”!
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