I once spent two heavenly weeks in New York, for the filming of Holland’s Next Top Model. Because the elimination rounds were not everyday, I had oceans of time to myself. In the morning, I’d sit in the hotel’s courtyard with my laptop. Around 11 am, I’d hear a What’sApp come in from Anouk Smulders, the presenter at large with the question: “Are you ready? What should we do?”.
I also had Dirk Kikstra by my side, renowned fashion photographer and my co-judge on Holland’s Next top Model. Both of them lived in New York for over 8 years and we had a make-up artist on our team who has lived there for 25 years. With their help I got to see the places that only the in-crowd knows about. Or in the words of my taxi driver when I asked him to take to me to Waverley Place, “I’ve NEVER taken a tourist there.” See, now that is exactly what we want.
Tip 1. On the bike
You can take the girl out of Holland but you can’t take Holland out of the girl.
First download the Citybike-app so you know where to find the city bike points. Go to the pillar, slide your credit card in (you’re lost without a credit card in New York, you know that right?), enter your details and don’t get shocked when they ask for your postcode. 90210 Is always a fun answer. The machine gives you a digital ride-code that you need to enter on the left side of your bike. Choose a bike with a saddle height that suits you, so you don’t need to mess around with it. We’re not made for that type of thing, believe me.
Take note! The Citybike actually needs to be returned to a Citybike station every half hour. It’s not obligatory but it gets more expensive the longer you keep it. I once cycled all the way to Brooklyn and kept the bike out for four hours, which was quite expensive. If you park it regularly, no problem and cycling through New York is the next best thing.
Tip 2. East Village
The Meat Packing district is nice, but not so cool anymore. The real New Yorkers, and especially the in-crowd, all go to Chelsea and the East Village. You also only pay $6 for a gin & tonic instead of $16 at the Gansevoort Hotel. The cherry on the proverbial cake.
Tip 3. Gitane
Gitane is a french bistro in NoHo, around the corner from the Patricia Field shop, you know the stylist from Sex and the City. Never had such delicious food in my life. Order a lemonade, just the way you’d expect, fresh, sour and pure. The tajines will make you go back for more and we totally licked the saté sauce bowl clean.
Café Gitane, 270 Lafayette Street.
Tip 4. Morandi
I never skip this one. Anouk and I ate there at least fours time I think. We had the burrata and a light dessert wine with bubbles, every time.
You can’t actually reserve a place on the terrace but if you hang out at the bar first, you can easily move on to your favorite table.
Morandi, 211 Waverly Place.
Tip 5. Rosemary’s
Rosemary’s is one of those places that transports you to Paris, so quiet and cosy with a long terrace. Apparently, Daniël Day Lewis has coffee there every morning. We went there to nurse a hangover, Anouk had Eggs Benedict and I had an egg with lots of chilli. A real pick-me-up.
Rosemary’s Greenwich Avenue
Tip 6. Daily bread in Central Park
Take a jog through the park and meet up with a girlfriend at Le Pain Quotidien. Just like Carry and Miranda, remember?
Le Pain Quotidien Central Park, 2 West 69 Street
Tip 7. Rooftop
In this category, you need to pay for it. Cycle to The Gansevoort, take the elevator to the penthouse (note: it does not say penthouse, so don’t be put off. You could also ask the bellboy in a very self assured manner if he could take you to the roof.) and step out on rooftop-paradise. Don’t worry about being spoiled, because it’s just order at the bar as usual and your glass of wine (that costs $16) comes in a plastic glass. You don’t even get an olive or nut with it, but the view is awesome and the time that I was there, using Gansevoort wifi to work, was an intensely happy time. Really.
Tip 8. Bryant Park
The place where the shows used to be held is still a nice place to visit. If you lie down on your back in the grass (no it’s not crazy), you have a fabulous view of the skyscrapers. Place your head north and your feet south and you can see Freedom Tower, the building that was built in remembrance of the Twin Towers. Anna Wintour is moving there with her Vogue editorial team. In the summer they have open air movies on huge screens. The highlight of a long summer evening is chilling out there, back-to-back with a loved one, watching a movie with the Manhattan skyline.
Tip 9. The Butcher’s Daughter
Happier and healthier than this does not exist. Fresh juices, cocktails in the form of ice-lollies, salads, toast. Everything ultra healthy and in super hip surroundings. Perfect for lunch.
19, Kenmare Street
Tip 10. Equinox SoHo
You feel more at home in a city when you do some sports. That in itself is a good reason. If you sneak into the Equinox SoHo, there is a big chance that you will bump into some enviable top model bodies. Think Victoria’s Secret girls. Perhaps a little confrontational but a good story for back home, or not?
69 Prince Street
If you book a trip with KLM now, you pay around 500 euros. Maybe you can pull up a chair next to us on the terrace?
