The Social Anthropologist

I am a traveller with a social conscience taking in the sights, sounds and tastes of different societies and cultures. This is what i have discovered along the way.

[thesocialanthropologist]

Nassau, Bahamas

Happy New Years from Paradise

[thesocialanthropologist]

USA - New York

Red Farm - Best Yum Cha in NYC - 529 Hudson Street, New York ( West Village)

The newest addition to the sustainable food  scene Red Farm provides a clean fresh appoach to my all time favorite cuisine dim sum. Dim Sum master Chef Joe Ng and Chinese food expert Ed Schoenfeld have excelled in creating a new dining experience for atypical chinese fair providing a rustic barn atmopshere with white brick walls and  exposed beams complete with red and white napkins to create the farm to table feeling for patrons. The dumplings are inventive and delicious and include such offerings as pac man dumplings, lobster dumplings on a bed of mushrooms, yuzu wasabi shrimp and lobster noodles. Definitely worth a trip, every Sunday if I had my way.

[thesocialanthropologist]

USA

New York

PS1 Museum of Modern Art Summer Saturday Sessions 

PS1 is a contemporary art centre on the outskirts of New York that exhibits eclectic modern art in an old school building, hence the name Ps1. From July till September Ps1 holds a series of "warm up" sessions in its courtyard, every Saturday, playing host to some of the best experimental live music, performance and Dj's. If you're not heading out to the Hamptons but want to get your dance on, PS1 is the place to be in Summer.

[thesocialanthropologist]

USA - New York

View from Trump Soho Hotel

[thesocialanthropologist]

USA - New York - Upper East Side

[thesocialanthropologist]

USA - New York - Great Bars

Apotheke 9 Doyers St New York, NY [phone]

Hidden in the back alleys of chinatown in a former opium den, Apotheke is by far the coolest bar in New York city providing great tunes and an eclectic offering of music every night of the week. From Monday night live Jazz to a DJ spinning great tunes on a Friday night the doormen are big, the crowd fun, and the drinks delicious. From a ginger sour to a lychee blossom, the walls are adorned with bottles of  herbs and elixirs like a real apothecry. Mixologists wearing white lab coat serve an extensive variety of specialty cocktails on a marble bar lined with mortars and pestle. More recently prohibition night on Wednesday nights that require a password and a wink continue to make Apotheke the go to destination for a good night out.

Rose Bar – the Grammercy Hotel - 2 Lexington Ave., at 21st St.; 212-920-3300 - Midtown

Artist Julian Schnabel and owner Ian Schrager opened the Rose bar in the Grammercy Hotel some nine years ago and it has not lost its charm. Playing pool with Bono was one of my best memories from hanging out here when I first arrive in New York. The Rose Bar has a sumptuous beauty which is complimented by the crowd that screams finance and decadence. The door is notoriously hard to get into but if you act like you are meant to be there often people think that you are and you can stroll right in.

The Lobby Bar – Bowery Hotel -  335 Bowery, at 3rd St.; 212-505-9100 – The lower East Side

A quaint and relaxing place for a glass of wine and some olives anytime of day is the lobby bar at the Bowery Hotel.  Persian rugs line the floors and chairs large enough for three people to sit on provide a civilized atmosphere to talk business or pleasure as Demi Moore or Lindsey Lohan depart their hotel of choice. The lobby bar is a great starting point for a night on the town mid week.

EMPLOYEES ONLY - –510 Hudson Street, West Village, NY

During the prohibition era of the 1920's and 30's a way of avoiding detection from drinking ilegally was to create speakeasys that pretended to be a place for employees only to get together after work...hence the name of one of the coolest late night bars in the city. Perch yourself at the curved bar when you arrive and watch the crowds flow in from 7pm till 4am. Serious cocktails mixed to perfection complement the food such as my favorite the steak tartare. Get in early as by 10:30 any night of the week the bar is packed and not easy to manouever.

The Backroom – 102 Norfolk Street, New York, nr Delancey street , NY

Another establishment that harks back to the 20's and 30s prohibition era is the Backroom nestled in between back streets on the Lower East Side. Enjoy the main room, a speakeasy of sorts with the faux façade of a toy store. Alcohol is served in teacups and velvet paisley wallpaper adorns the walls. If you can't see yourself in the mirrored bar I think you know that you have had one too many and its time to go home :)

[thesocialanthropologist]

USA New York City

Recommended Hotels

The Crosby Hotel - 79 Crosby Street, New York, NY 10012 www.firmdalehotels.com/new-york/crosby-street-hotel

You know a hotel is popular with the jetset when you’re sitting having breakfast in the lobby with friends from Australia, and a woman taps on you on the shoulder and it’s your best friend’s aunt, also from Australia. The appeal of the Crosby is the eclectic design of each room a combination of bohemian and modern tones make for well designed rooms, a sitting room that I would substitute as my living room any day of the week and a relaxed and comfortable bar/restaurant. It’s conveniently located in the centre of Soho so that if breakfast is not included you can literally hop over to Balthazaar or Cafe Gitane. If you are planning to spend most of your time downtown the Crosby is the place to be.

Trump Soho  - 246 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013 www.trumphotelcollection.com/soho/

The Trump Soho is a great hotel for allot of reasons. It is conveniently nestled in between Soho and the West Side downtown, has very well appointed, well designed and sizable rooms and last but not least, it has a pool. Anyone who has a spent a summer in the city knows that the single most valuable asset one may have in the city in summer is a pool. So if you are planning on staying in the city in summer and have friends visiting The Trump Soho is the way to go. Sundays Jazz sessions are not uncommon and they recently welcomed a delicious Japanese restaurant, Koi. The staff  are very helpful and the rooms impeccable. All in all I would highly recommend a visit to the Trump Soho.

Thompson LES - 190 Allen Street, New York, NY 10002 www.thompsonhotels.com/hotels/nyc/thompson-les

The Lower East Side is famous for the old tenement buildings and what was once a thriving jewish community and of course the pastrami sandwiches at Katz’s Deli. well if you want to be a stone thrown from  those infamous pickles and Pastrami the Thompson LES is the hotel for you. The Thompson LES is minimalist in design and aesthetic and offers a great deal of space in each room. They too have a pool for summer sunning although it lacks comfortable seating space around it. Blue Ribbon just installed their latest Sushi restaurant on the first floor which attracts a great crowd as does the members club on the seventh floor. Summer parties are constantly being held here from May through September for those not venturing out to the Hamptons so if that is your thing, then the Thompson is the key. Although I did stay here with my mum a number of years ago, and although pool parties were not her thing she did indeed enjoy her stay. It must have been seeing Kevin Spacey in the bar :)

The Ace Hotel - 20 West 29th Street, New York, NY 10001

www.acehotel.com/

If you are on more of a budget and looking for something that is a bit different and quirky then i would highly recommend the Ace Hotel in the middle of Korean town. It is quirky in style and grandeur and although I find the lobby a bit awkward for drinks and meetings every time I have visited the ACe it has been full of laptop users during the day enjoying the space and trendy hipsters at night. The sister restaurant to the Spotted Pig, the Breslin is housed here, and serves a mean Burger and the coffee from the cafe is actually very good even by American standards. Rooms are available as singles, doubles and even for four persons and is very reasonably priced.  It is in a funny area of town but is a short taxi ride up and downtown and given taxis are a dime a dozen The Ace provides an interesting option for those wanting to try something cool and different.

The Whyte Hotel  - 80 Wythe Ave. at N. 11th Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 11249

www.wythehotel.com/

Originally a Brooklyn snob after three years in the city I know fully appreciate the relaxed atmosphere that Brooklyn has to offer and the different aesthetic that a ton of bearded hipsters can offer :) The Whyte Hotel is a great option for accommodation if you have been to New York a number of times and want to try something different. It is a 72 room hotel in an old factory in the tres cool area of Brooklyn, Williamsburg, and situated near the waterfront. The rooms offer a minimalist design aesthetic and are a reasonable. The most appealing factor of the Whyte is the rooftop bar and restaurant that offers spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline and delicious cocktails day and night.  It is close to the epitimous Bedford so you can stroll on a Sunday with the rest of the hipster crowd. 

[thesocialanthropologist]

USA

New York

Best Restaurant - The Fat Radish

17 Orchard Street, corner Canal and Orchard, New York 10002

Partial to this Lower East Side uber trendy eatery the Fat Radish remains one of the coolest restaurants in NYC since opening its doors in October 2010. Offering sustainable food with a strong English influence in a farm to table environment the only thing better than the food are the cocktails and the music. From Florence and the Machine to Vampire Weekend, The Fat Radish creates an atmosphere of excitement not just around the food it is serving but the the environment it is served in. You are just as likely to be sitting next to The Edge of U2 at a communal table as you are to spot Scarlet Johansen sharing a Krispy Kale Ceaser Salad, beet crumble, or Scallops in the corner spot. 

[thesocialanthropologist]

USA

New York

The Guggenheim Museum with My own Jessica Stimson

[thesocialanthropologist]

USA 

New York

Favorite Bar - The Leadbelly - 14B Orchard Street, Corner Canal and Orchard, New York

The Leadbelly is by far one of my favorite bars in NYC. Only opening in September 2012 this cocktail and oyster bar has gained a cult following for their delicious drinks and great food. During the week it has a relaxed vibe great for a chilled dare or even meetings with live music from 7:30-10:30pm. On the weekend it's allot livelier and full of people wanting an alternative experience to the normal bar in NYC. Vintage trunks, suitcases and vinyl records line the bookcases and old school tunes fill the speakers. Silkstone, the creative group behind The Fat Radish and Ruschmeyer’s are behind the creative menu of sustainable, local and artisanal food that includes a variety of East and West coast oysters, The leadbelly also offers seasonal bar snacks including “Beet Tarte Tatin, with Beltane Farm Goats Cheese” and “Maine Mussel Pot Pie".  The cocktail selection, created by Brit Colin Asare-Appiah, renown for managing establishments such as Jamie Oliver's Fifteen, Babington House, Raincheck and Beach Blanket Babylon, and more recently, Ruschmeyer’s is as playful as it is serious featuring great seasonal drinks such as “The Basil Brush” (Gooseberry, Basil Elderflower and Brooklyn Gin) playful takes on old classics, such as the “Toasted Almond White Russian”, and unique experiences such as ”Tea Time” (Sweet Earl Grey Tea, Smashed Raspberries and Vodka).  Definitely a spot not to miss....weekend or weeknight.

[thesocialanthropologist]

[thesocialanthropologist]

New York, USA

Favorites Restaurants - Dinner

Minetta Tavern - 113 MacDougal Street, New York , in Greenwich Village, NY

If I lived in Manhattan in the 60’s I think that I would have left my “Mad Men”esque job in midtown nightly and ventured to Minetta Tavern nightly to dine with my colleagues or a lover in a cool and inviting atmosphere such as Minetta Tavern. Immersed in cocktails, conversation as soon as you enters its doors, Minetta Tavern serves delicious food with a strong french influence. Undoubtedly my favorite late night dining den. Intimate with a touch of arrogance, The Bone marrow is a must as is any red wine on the menu. Book well in advance, or get connected to the maitre’ d as usually it takes up to four weeks to get a reservation.

Miss Lillies - 132 West Houston Street at Sullivan Street, NY

The brainchild of the magicians behind La Esquina and Superlinda Miss Lillies bears a strikingly similar exterior that is evasive and does not belie the cool crowd that is ensconed in the back booths of this ultra hip restaurant. Miss Lillies offers cool food, cool tunes, and an even cooler crowd any night of the week. Serving up traditional Jamaican food such as xxxxxxx its interior is akin to a diner transformed into an uver cool eatery that you can eat, drink or dance in till the wee hours. Recent expansions have seen the addition of a juice bar and adjacent radio station under the Miss Lillies Brand.

Pulquria - 9 Doyers Street, Corner Doyers and Bowery Street, Chinatown, NY

Named after the working class taverns in Mexico City Pulquria is an authentic Mexican restaurant hidden in the bowels of Chinatown. Located underneath my other favourite haunt, Apotheke, Pulquria offers a visually stunning space, utilizing Mexican design materials and heavily influenced by ancient Aztec cultures. The menu captures the bracing flavors and freshness of Mexico City's local markets and street food. The bar serves a masterful selection of tequila and mezcals, as well as New York's only 'curados de pulque,' a specialty cocktail made from the agave plant.

La Esquina - 106 Kenmare Street, New York, NY

Hidden behind the old facade of a diner, on the corner of Lafayette and Kenmare Streets, La Esquina is single handedly responsible for showing me the beauty of mexican food upon my arrival in New York. Horribly chic with its entry through a hidden door and following passageway through the working kitchen, you instantly feel the vibe of a good evening as you step into the grotto like interior welcomed by the tunes of the DJ playing for the evening. La Esquina offers some of the best fish, shrimp and chicken tacos in the city and a mexican corn to die for. Be warned unless you have the VIP hotline, bookings should be made well well in advance.

[thesocialanthropologist]

USA - New York

Recommended Dinner Restaurants 

Freemans - End of Freeman Alley, New York, NY 10002  nr. Rivington St.   

Only takes bookings for parties of six or more. This exceedingly low-profile restaurant materialized at the end of a nondescript Lower East Side alley unknown to even the most intrepid hipster. Persevere, and you'll discover a taxidermist's dream of a dining room, specialty cocktails, and a homespun American menu tinged with the occasional Anglo accent, like devils on horseback and summer pudding. If you don't feel like battling for a Rum Swizzle (Haitian rum, lime juice, syrup, bitters) during the raucous evening hours, order one (or two) on a peaceful Sunday afternoon, along with a bowl of stewed plums (with Greek yogurt and vanilla syrup), a slab of excellent wild-boar terrine, and a fat lamb-sausage patty served with watercress salad, two poached eggs, and thick slices of sourdough.

Momofuko KO - 163 First Ave ( bew 10 & 11thth street) Korean/American 

Momofuku meaning “lucky peach” in Japanese is the brain child of Korean American Chef David Chang. Serving food of the same style Chang dishes are quirky with a strong meat and asian accent. The atmosphere is laid back and the walls are unadorned as you snack on buns of the pork variety and gummy fluke in yuzu and hot sriaracha pepper.

La Conde Verde - 377 Greenwich Street New York, NY [phone]

The latest Italian restaurant in Robert De Niro’s star-crossed space is called Locanda Verde (“green inn”). The kitchen is overseen by the celebrated chef Andrew Carmellini. His menu is filled with lots of fashionable, small-plate “cicchetti,” including mounds of fresh sheep’s-milk ricotta and melty slices of “testa della casa”  antipasti decked with tangy pickled vegetables. The best of these early finger foods, though, are the crostini, which the chef piles alternately with faintly spicy summer corn (over toasted prosciutto bread), smooth dabs of puréed chicken liver, and mounds of blue crab leavened with jalapeño and a light touch of cream.

Spice Market - 403 West 13 Street, in the Meatpacking District, NY

A Thai restaurant in the heart of the meatpacking district you will be blown away by the enormity of the restaurant and the intricate craft works adorning every corner. Serving Southeast Asia street food such as chicken wings drizzled in a sticky-sweet chile sauce, bowls of curried duck, or short ribs Spice Market is always busy and the food is just delicious.

[thesocialanthropologist]

USA New York

More Favorite Eateries for Lunch or Dinner

Schillers - 131 Rivington street at Norfolk Street, Lower East Side

Another one of renown chef Keith McNally's establishments Schiller's offers great food in a relaxed brasserie setting on the Lower East Side. Enjoy a long Sunday brunch here and you are just as likely to see Drew Barrymore sitting in the booth next to you as you are your own best friend. The Steak Frites and bloody mary's do wonders for hang overs  as does the mac and cheese and the cobb salad. If you venture to Schillers in the evening ( or have managed to stay all day) try the espresso martini and ask for extra coffee beans, I do.

Tartinery 209 Mulberry St (at Spring St) New York, NY  212-300-5838

An unassuming restaurant tucked away on Mulberry Street in Nolita, Tartinery was built by three French friends who noted a serious lack of authentic Parisian tartines in New York.  They offer charming French food designed to be shared in a stark atmosphere offset by allot of foliage within.

PUBLIC- 210 Elizabeth Street, West Village

One of the best brunch menus in the city, no doubt as it is run by Aussies and Kiwi Public in Nolita has an excellent deal offering an entree meal, a coffee and a mimosa for $23.00 all year round. They prepare excellent eggs on tea smoked salmon, traditional scones jam and cream as well as pancakes to die for. 

Gemma - The Bowery Hotel 335 Bowery (Third St.) 

Although good for anytime of day, Gemma is highly recommended for late brunches as they offer an unapralleled selection of cured meats, cheeses and antipasti. Situated next to the Bowery Hotel, Gemma  is especially special in summer as it offers a great deal of outdoor seating allowing fro some of the most excellent people watching in the city. as tourists, locals and celebrity line the streets and ascend the Bowery Hotel. Some of my favorite things on this Italian  menu are crisp zucchini flowers with a soft ricotta center; al dente spaghetti alle vongole; and a dessert calzone filled with ricotta and Nutella. 

[thesocialanthropologist]

USA -  New York

Best Breakfast/Bruncheries 

Café Gitane 242 Mott St. (Prince & Houston Sts.) Moroccan/French

This French/Morrocan Cafe is the uber cool hang out for the downtown set that like their avocado toast heavily laden with olive oil and a touch of chili. Lots of coffee drinking, cucumber juice swilling and cous cous eating goes on during the day in conjunction with business meetings as well as singles eating at the bar. The French Morrocan inspired food is delic. The avocado toast is a must to start, share it if possible so you can fit more. The endive and grapefruit salad is my fav as is the cous cous and veg platter. It's be to try Gitane during the week as on the weekend the wait can be over an hour. 

Bar Pitti - 268 Sitxh Avenue Near Bleeker Street in the West Village

A favorite Afternoon or lunch spot for my Brazilian crew, Pitti opened in 1992 nearly two decades after Silvano Marchetto combined the trattoria formula with a see-and-be-seen sidewalk setting at adjacent Da Silvano. Serving fresh Italian fair all day long and an abundance of wine of a carefully selected wine list Pitti is the best choice in the summer for its abundance of outdoor seating and people watching opportunities, not to mention celebrity spotting if you are that way inclined. A blackboard of twenty or so static specials extend the basic Tuscan menu: assembled antipasti like oil-packed tuna jumbled with cannellini beans, veal meatballs, eggplant Parmigana and a delicious serving of Burratta.

Pastis - 9 Ninth Avenue in the Meatpacking District

Located in the heart of the Meatpacking district Pastis is the epitomy of a tourist trap but still so much fun! A reproduction of a 1930s Parisian brasserie Pastis often gets so crowded that a velvet rope confines walk-ins and latecomers to the bar.  Another favorite for its celebrity sightings, people watching and outdoor seating Pastis offers an excellent brunch meeting including oysters, steak and frittes, eggs benedict and pancakes.  If you can plan ahead, Pastis does take bookings and it is highly recommended.

Extra Virgin - 259 West 4th Street at Perry Street, West Village

Why is is that the most popular places for brunch in NYC are the hardest to get into. Extra Virgin is a West Village favorite serving up great burgers, Salads and BLT's. Chef Joey Fortunato offers and inventive Mediterranean menu including dishes like roasted artichokes Provençal, and scallop “saltimbocca” with veal sauce. Their breakfast menu is superb and there is seating perched on the quaint side street for about 12 people that people clamor for. Just make sure you don't sit on the steps of the brownstone while you wait.....the neighbours might get feisty.

[thesocialanthropologist]

Travel Diaries of My Peers - My Girl Dj Chelsea Leyland

1. Whats your nationality of origin? British

2. Where do you live now? Why do you live in this city? NYC, because i love it. 

3. Whats your earliest memory of traveling? My family have a house in Spain so my earliest memory is travelling to the south of Spain.

4. Where have you travelled recently? Berlin, Ibiza, London. 

5. What was the favorite part of your trip? Going to Katerholzig in Berlin

6. Name five things in your suitcase when you travel? Eye mask, bikini, underwear, headphones, i-pad. 

7. What can you not travel without? Headphones/epilepsy medication. 

8. As a social anthropologist I look at the people around me on my travels and try to draw inspiration from their cultures and traditions. What has inspired you on your travels? Language always inspires me i speak Spanish but when im in a country where i cant communicate i not only get frustrated but i feel truly inspired to learn more languages and learn more about their culture. 

9. What travel experience would you rather forget? Going to the hospital in Laos I dont know how but i got extremly sick i went to their equvilent of an emergency room which was certianly not what i was used to they injected me in the bum in front of everyone i dont ever remeber being so sick and so far from home. 

10. What are you favorite cities in the world that you've visited? Mexico city, Barcelona and berlin. 

11. Name your top five hotels around the world? Which one stands out and why? Soho House Berlin, The Zettter town house in London, Habita in Monterrey Mexico, Uno in Tulum and Mas du Pastre in Provence France. I love them all for different reasons and the way they can help curate your time in any place or city. 

12. Where would you recommend people to go? for the sun / for the snow? Park city Utah for the snow and the Panamanian islands for the sun. 

13. What has been your most memorable travel experience to date? This is such a hard question as i really cant compare the places i love but my last trip to Asia was pretty damn memorable. The islands in Thailand, Bangkok, and all over Laos. 

14. Where do you dream to travel? Without a doubt Tokyo i've never been and im DESPERATE to go!!

[thesocialanthropologist]

USA

New York

Best New Juice Bar - The Butchers Daughter - 19 Kenmare Street at Elizabeth, New York