What better place to kick off a city guide column than with America’s most iconic one? Sure, there are plenty of places that have unique and equally cool experiences and settings to offer, but there’s something special about New York – which is probably why so many people (us included) put up with high rents for small apartments and crowded streets. Behind the grandeur and typical attractions, though, there’s lots to explore with a relaxed attitude and discerning taste. To help you sift through the options, here are some of our current favorite haunts around town.
Experience
Carson Street Clothiers
Shopping for new threads in New York can be a serious undertaking if you’re particular about your favorite labels; plenty of incredible brands have beautiful shops in the city, but hitting all of them in a weekend isn’t very practical (or wallet-friendly). Let Carson Street Clothiers do the curating for you and shop their selection of precisely tailored menswear instead. The offerings are a blend of dressed-up and low-key options, leaning (as is the general trend with young menswear types) towards the formal – you can expect to see plenty of blazers. And once you’ve pulled together a new outfit, you can rest easy knowing you’ve joined the ranks of the menswear elite who’ve adopted this place as a prime expression of the niche.
Alchemy
The Dead Rabbit
It's no secret that New York is home to some of the best (and sometimes, the most expensive) bars you're likely to find anywhere in the country. It doesn't get much better, though, than The Dead Rabbit , which manages to combine a cozy Irish pub, a craft beer tap room, a cocktail parlor, and a specialty grocer into a single spot. While impressive in and of itself, it’s made all the better given how good each aspect is. The food is remarkably great pub fare, the beer is a solid lineup of craft favorites (including their own exclusive house brew from Sixpoint), the grocery stocks specialty condiments and snacks, and the cocktail list is wildly extensive and meticulously researched. Plus, it's all soaked in an old-world elegance with dark wood and rich leather for the complete experience. Come hungry, thirsty, and ready to feel like a king.
Grub
Mighty Quinn's Barbeque
Award-worthy barbecue in New York? Put aside your skepticism and load up on any of the offerings at Mighty Quinn's. It doesn't exactly stand out with a mellow soundtrack and decor that’s on par with every other reasonably well-designed New York restaurant (Edison bulbs, "reclaimed" wood, dull steel), but the food is exceptional. The meat – cooked with slow-burning hardwood, not gas – is all ordered cafeteria-style, either on a sandwich or by itself. Our favorites are the brisket and pork ribs; both are impossibly tender and packed with smoky flavor that's amplified by the bright and spicy house-made sauce. The sides are certainly worth ordering as well: the slaw and edamame & sweet pea salad are fresh and surprisingly tasty counterpoints to the rest of your protein-heavy tray, and the baked beans are loaded with crispy, flavor-packed burnt ends from the barbecue and are cooked side by side the meat to infuse them with the same smoky richness. You’ll almost forget that you’re over a hundred miles from the Mason Dixon line.
