The Incomparable James Hannan

I have been to New York twice, and will be back here in December for Christmas with my family, and the hot debate between us all now, is where to stay.

On my first trip, I stayed up in Midtown at the Hilton on 6th, and, I enjoyed it, but even then, over the 3 odd weeks I stayed here, I found myself down in SoHo most days.

This trip, we had daily meetings scheduled down on Broadway in SoHo, so picked a great hotel just up in NoHo called The Bowery (cnr Bowery and 3rd St). The Hotel is unbelievable, and only a 15 minute walk to our meetings, and just a 5 minute walk to Spring St.

SoHo has everything the top half of NY has, except at a slower more relaxed pace. You don’t get bowled over for taking your time wandering down a street, there are cheap eats everywhere - some of the best cafe food I have had - 2 notable contenders being Ruby’s cafe on cnr of Spring and Mulberry, and cafe Gitane on cnr of Prince and Mott.

It doesn’t stop at the cafes and the slow pace - at night, the restaurant selection are plentiful - we had a great meal at Balthazar on Spring St, and one of the best Chinese meals I have had at Chinatown Brasserie on cnr Great Jones and Lafayette. Then you have the shopping. All the shops you find up on 5th avenue, you have down in SoHo - my travelling partner, Marina Go, can speak volumes on this topic - she is by far the best shopper I have ever witnessed - truly a skill!

Got to convince the old man now that he needs to be down this way in December!

Cafe Gitane

maps.google.com

242 Mott St # 2
New York, NY 10012-3434
(212) 965-0918
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Ruby’s Cafe & Bar

www.rubyscafe.us

219 Mulberry St
New York, NY 10012-5735
(212) 925-5755
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Chinatown Brasserie

chinatownbrasserie.com

380 Lafayette St
New York, NY 10003
(212) 533-7000
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Balthazar Restaurant

balthazarny.com

80 Spring St
New York, NY 10012
(612) 466-2529
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