"I Heart New York." a New York City Travel Page by shutterlust

"I LOVE NEW YORK” is the oldest one in the book, conventional wisdom in all caps. And yet, it still somehow retains its potency, and why is that? Because only a fool would think otherwise. Consider the evidence that we have amassed (for the second year running) in the pages that follow. We are a city that rains prosperity down on the whole country, exporting everything from war heroes to canny socialites to great filmmakers rediscovering their top form. We offer hot dates, hot waiters, hot bands, and hot neighbors. We are the base of more political mojo than any state in the nation and of an angry guy who is single-handedly holding up one of the biggest real-estate projects in the city’s history. Plus we hold fast to the faith that our drinking water tastes better than everyone else’s, even though that is almost certainly not true. But if all that is just a little too hard-core for you, wake up early tomorrow morning and walk the streets at dawn. At that hour, the city belongs neither to the corporate machers who run the town nor even to the hardworking millions who sustain it. It belongs simply to you."
-New York Magazine, 25 December 2006

I'm a born and bred New Yorker and I'm proud of it. This is my home. And I love it. It's real. It has it's ups and downs, it's harsh realities and fantasy moments. It's beautiful, in all its facets, even the ugly. It teaches you independence, self-reliance. It's true when they say, "if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere." I adore the people, the places, the restaurants, the tiny $1200(edit, make that $1500) studios, the potholes, the scaffolding, the delivery men on their bikes, the models strutting in Choos, the familiar faces in my local grocery or corner bodega, the smells of bakeries and Chinese dives, the neighborhoods, the parks... I adore this city and I hope you learn to love it too.

I'm a restaurant/food photographer for NY Magazine and disclaimer!: many of my restaurant recommendations actually started out as job assignments. Which explains why I quote NY magazine in some of my restaurant tips, because our writers are the best in the business and no one can better encapsulate the true sense of these restaurants. But fear not! You'll still get my opinions. Don't worry about that. :-)

My tips are from a local's point of view. A local who enjoys fine cuisine! So you will notice that most of my tips are for restaurants, bars, lounges, cafes, coffeeshops, etc. I love food. It's amazing. It satisfies all human emotion through one bite. Why do you think we have 'comfort food'?! and there IS a reason why God made us prefer chocolate and cheese over celery.

While most of my tips are about places to wine, dine, dance and listen to music simultaneously, you'll find that my other tips are mostly on transportation and NY culture/customs. You'll also notice that my NY culture/customs tips may sound a bit like ranting, but I love and adore my city and I only wish other can love and adore it to the point of respecting it and its inhabitants.

While most of my tips are on restaurants and bars, please check out my Off-The-Beaten Track/Things to Do tips. Ask me personally where I think you should go and I will almost certainly recommend the TV/Radio museum and the Sony Wonder Center, both listed in my tips. I will insist you go to the Comedy Cellar. And I would hope you pass by Chelsea Market, if only to try the lobster bisque and stick your hand in the waterfall!

Ask me What-To-Wear-While-In-New York and I will direct you to my General Tips, which give you an overview of everything 'New York' from HopStop (an excellent tool for learning which trains/buses take from one address to another) or OverHeardinNewYork for hilarious New Yorker quotes. My General Tips and Local Customs tips will give you some important insight into everything from local behavior (things such as No Staring or how to tip properly) to suggestions on what to bring and common NY stereotypes (in my "Actual New Yorkers" Pt 1 and 2 tips).

Oh, and ignore those hotel tips. They're absolutely useless. (I'm actually being really serious. They're rubbish.)

So if you're coming to Manhattan, need some extra help with itineraries, specific places to go, asking about certain restaurants (I'll gladly check out a restaurant for you! Any excuse to try some place new!), please let me know! I'm glad to help anyone who wants to love NY as much as I do!

and with that, Welcome to Manhattan!