Mood. Food. & Loot. Out of Town, New York City

I’ve never been a huge girls’ trip kind of gal. I enjoy traveling more with mixed company. Probably because I’m the worst over-packer, and a few extra hands come in super handy on the arrival and departing. Thanks, Jon!

But, when I do plan to go, I go with those who enjoy to travel like me.

It’s a must to have a lunch and dinner reservation. There is nothing enjoyable about a group of hungry girls, roaming the streets, looking for a place to eat.

Le Coucou in SoHo is one of the most unstuffy French restaurants I’ve ever been to, and it’s beautiful. It can be a hard reservation to get, so try breakfast or lunch if dinner is booked. Plan ahead next time you are going to New York. It’s a special place. Le Coucou, 138 Lafayette Street. 212/271-4252, lecoucou.com

Everyone needs a pit stop.

Traveling inspires ideas. If you don’t get out once in a while and explore, you will get in a rut. It doesn’t have to be a fancy place—anything will do.

THE HOTEL: There is no need to waste money on an expensive hotel when traveling with girls. Anywhere with a little bathroom space, a decent bar, and a great location is all any girl needs.

I’d rather have a new Hermes belt strip than a fancy hotel.

THE PACKAGE SURVEY: I adore packaging from a fine boutique. I’ve been known to buy the cheapest item in the shop—just to get the bag. (For example: One Chanel lip gloss purchase will get you a lot of attention from the sales associates in any shop all day long.) Shopping in a boutique is not too shabby either. They greet you with Champagne and hot toddies!

Enjoy a relaxing glass of Champagne while your friends are in the dressing room. Tory Burch, 797 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065, toryburch.com

THE POST SHOPPING DRINK: The rehash. My family has a longtime running joke: After shopping, my sister and I would come in the door and tell my dad, “We had the best luck!”  So to this day, I still enjoy rehashing the event. When traveling, I like to wrap up a fun, shopping day in a festive hotel bar.

Toast the end of a fun day of shopping. A window seat in the quaint upstairs bar at Mercer Hotel in SoHo is a prime people-watching spot. 147 Mercer Street, New York, NY 10012, mercerhotel.com
A specialty martini served with a hydrated pineapple slice in a Baccarat Champagne/sorbet glass is another perfect ending to a successful shopping day. The Bar at the Baccarat, 28 West 53rd Street, Floor 2, New York, NY 10019. Opens at 4:00 p.m.

SCHEDULE A BLOWOUT OR TWO: especially if the hotel bathroom space is tight. Eliminating the hair-drying time in the room allows for more shopping, eating, and exploring. Salons are all over town. Work it into your schedule. It’s a nice break to rest your aching feet too. thedrybar.com

Shopgirl Tips:

  1. When at all possible (if you don’t need it for the trip), ship all purchases. It’s best not to walk in the door with lots of loot on your return to children and husbands who did not get to go. And it will also save on tax. Learn your Fed Ex driver’s names and get their cell numbers and program them on your phone. (For example: Fed Ex Craig, Fed Ex David, etc.) Alert them of arriving packages, and coordinate delivery. This saves you from sitting around when a signature is required.
  2. Also, I prefer to shop in a boutique over major department stores. The undivided attention and beverages make it a home run. And look, the sales associates have manners too!

    How special is this handwritten thank-you note? It’s the little things that make a difference. Thanks, Jaclyn, for making our shopping experience a true pleasure! Rebecca Taylor, 34 Gansevoort St., New York, NY 10014, 212/243-2600, rebeccataylor.com
  3. Try on for size. Many boutiques do a generous markdown at the end of the season, but they are usually final sale. Know what works and make a note of it.

Look Around

Take the scenic route to your next stop. Use your phone for photos, not texting, and keep your eyes open for ideas.
Like this charming restaurant Society Cafe, I would have never seen it if we hadn’t been on foot. It is in the Walker Hotel, and the menu is fueled by farmers, market ingredients.  I will definitely make it one of my stops next trip. The menu looks incredible! 52 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10011, 212/300-4525, societycafenyc.com
How easy is this? Pages of an old novel make an interesting garland for decorating, and obviously, they are a bargain! bergdorfgoodman.com
Department stores do over-the-top decorating. Look to them for inspiration. This tree in the handbag department of Bergdorf Goodman is covered in interesting, everyday objects, fruits, and flowers and then simply sprayed all white.
It wasn’t until I looked closely that I realized what the objects were. They take on a new life when painted.
Everywhere you look you will get inspiration. Pay attention!

It’s a good idea to get recommendations or go with the tried-and-true restaurants. Gramercy Tavern never disappoints. The Tavern (the bar area in front of the dining room)  accepts walk-ins too and has a delicious burger! The decorations are spectacular.

Seasonlly, the sideboard in The Tavern is dressed to the nines.
The Tavern ceiling was filled with fresh greenery kissing balls. gramercytavern.com
If you are in the Chelsea area, take a minute to walk through the Chelsea Market. There are all types of shops. It’s a great thing to do on a rainy or cold day because it’s all indoors. It’s open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. 75 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10011.
While in the  Chelsea Market, be sure to check out the Chelsea Wine Vault. It has a wonderful selection, and wine gadgets as well.
How handy is this wine to go? The cup is included. Brilliant! chelseawineloft.com

OTHER LUNCH SPOTS:

BG in Bergdorf Goodman’s Women’s Store on the 7th Floor is a cozy place to see-and-be-seen and have a delicous lunch. 754 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10019, 212/872-8977. Reservations OpenTable.com

The Blue Box Cafe in Tiffany’s opened recently and only accepts reservations online.  When we called before our trip, they did not take reservations at all. So if you have your heart set on going, plan ahead. It is decorated in what else but Tiffany blue!

From the outskirts The Blue Box Cafe looks like a pretty spot for a relaxing lunch. The Blue Box Cafe, 727 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 212/605-4270, For reservations, resy.com

FOR A QUICK BREAKFAST OR LUNCH ON THE GO:

No time to stop, then pop in Pick A Bagel at 1101 Lexington Avenue. It is open 24 hours and has the best selection of cream cheeses and salads I’ve ever seen. It will hold you until dinner! Purely an authentic New York bagel that you won’t want to miss. There are a few small tables for two, but it’s mostly a to-go kind of place. Other locations are 891 8th Avenue and 1475 2nd Avenue. Hours may differ from Lexington location.

COZY DINNER SPOTS: The Eddy, an upscale, hip, American fare restaurant in the East Village with a strong French wine list, serves small plates of interesting combinations. The menu changes frequently, so check it out at their website before you go. 342 East 6th Street, New York, NY 10003, theeddynyc.com

As you can see by his menu, chef Jeremy Salamon is not afraid to try anything, and it works!

Want authentic Italian in a happening atmosphere? Try Olio E Piu in the heart of Greenwich Village, serving classic Italian dishes with a focus on house-made pastas, hand-stretched pizza, fish, and more. We ended up splitting four pasta dishes and one pizza, because no one could decide! 3 Greenwich Avenue, New York, NY 10014, 212/243-6546, olioepiu.nyc 

SPLITTING THE TAB: Not to give girls a bad rap, but sometimes when I’m out with girls and the bill arrives, that’s when the fun ends. At kittysplit it couldn’t be easier to divide up the bill. Enter everyone’s email address and their expenses such as Uber rides, bar tabs, tips, etc. and kittysplit does the rest. Each person will be notified exactly what they owe. It’s genious. Try it next time you travel or host a party. Thanks, Mary Lauren, for sharing this with me! And, for being our “cruise director” for the trip. Great job. kittysplit.com

EXTRA BAGGAGE: My last tip is to pack an empty duffle in your bag when you go to New York. With the added baggage fees now, it’s a must. There will always be a few street and sale items that you can’t ship, and you will be thanking yourself when your other bag is sitting on the scale at the airport weighing in at 54 pounds!

I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy about making comments or asking questions. I love getting mail! Leslie