The Proposal (41 page)

New York’s most famous railway hub. Surround yourself with the buzzing commuter crowd, marvel at the beautiful Beaux-Arts building and soak up the real Manhattan. The Grand Central Oyster bar is great too for station food but not as we know it (be sure to try the cheesecake).

87 East 42nd Street, NY

A brilliant toy shop near Central Park South that featured in the recent
Smurfs
movie. A must for the young or young at heart.

767 5th Avenue (at 58th Street), NY

I was tipped off about this shabby-chic Lower East favourite by a cool American friend who said the Saturday morning brunch queues are worth the wait. My Dutch pancakes were sweet, thick and delicious. Even better is the Bloody Mary menu – I went for the Virgin Green Lake (with a wasabi and beef jerky swizzle stick) but there’s another dozen to choose from.

54 East 1st Street, NY

I wanted Georgia and Amy to stay somewhere in New York that represents pure old-school glamour, and this Upper East Side institution fitted the bill perfectly. Quiet, discreet and elegant (it was Princess Diana’s preferred New York hotel, and still attracts the stars), its location on a quiet side street that’s a stone’s throw away from everything is just perfect.

37 East 64th Street, NY

This is one of my favourite spots to shop in the whole city. It’s got an eclectic range of shops, from Murray’s Cheese Store with its bright yellow frontage and strong scent that wafts down the street, to the famous Magnolia Bakery, and with everything from Coach to James Perse in between. Molly’s Cupcakes is another great place for a sweet treat, especially for the ‘swing-chairs’ at the counter.

Murray’s Cheese Shop – 254 Bleecker Street, NY

Magnolia Bakery – 401 Bleecker Street, NY

Molly’s Cupcakes – 228 Bleeker Street, NY

A must for any winter visit to New York. It’s particularly romantic at night and is open from October to April.

Central Park South (59th Street) and 6th Avenue, NY

One of Manhattan’s most iconic restaurants. Choose a banquette table in the downstairs bar and quiz the waiter about the model aircraft hanging from the roof and the speakeasy history of the place (the wine vaults are fascinating). George Clooney favours table 8 and Humphrey Bogart sat at table 30 on his first date with Lauren Bacall.

21 West 52nd Street, NY

Christina Aguilera recommended this to
Jaunt
, a travel magazine I set up a few years ago. Since then, every time I go to New York I make the pilgrimage to Carmine Street for a slice or two. The chewiest, tastiest pizza on the planet.

7 Carmine Street, NY

That scene in
When Harry Met Sally
. You know the one. It was filmed here – and the salt beef sandwiches might send you into raptures of your own.

205 East Houston Street, NY

One for a summer rather than winter New York experience. A great spot for lunch overlooking the lake, where you can hire out a rowboat afterwards.

East 72nd Street and Park Drive North, NY

It’s a toss-up between which is my favourite New York museum – the elegant Frick with its Old Masters collection or the stunning Guggenheim, if only for the incredible spiral Frank Lloyd-Wright design of the building.

1071 5th Avenue, NY