Heather Westphal Miele
OCCUPATION: Owner of White Honey, a photography and retouching studio.
MY STYLE: Classic and sexy, with bright colors.
I LOVE NEW YORK BECAUSE: There are so many educational opportunities for kids. I love the pace and the energy of the city, and how many different people and cultures there are here.
Il Cantinori
This neighborhood standby for upscale Italian dining has been open since 1984, a lightyear by New York standards. Serving Tuscan specialities in a rustic space and surrounded by fresh flowers, the restaurant satisfies a steady stream of regulars who come seeking old-fashioned Italian needs on special occasions. West Village mom, Christina Rueger is a partifular friend to Il Cantinori. “This is our home away from home,” she explains. “The owner, managers, and whole staff are like family; they take care of their patrons and the neighborhood as a whole…if you can’t find it on the menu, it is most likely one of the many daily specials. Whether business lunch, early family dinner, dinner party with friends or late-night wine and dessert, it always fits the bill.”
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Bergdorf Goodman
The Bergdorf Goodman legacy traces back to 1899, when French immigrant Herman Bergdorf opened his tailor shop just north of Union Square. Fifteen years later, his apprentice Edwin Goodman became the first couturier to offer a ready-to-wear line, and the rest is fashion history. Today, the Midtown East department store offers a wealth of designer collections, as well as three restaurants, a bridal salon, and the esteemed John Barrett Salon. And don’t miss a walk through the children’s department, which boasts Gucci diaper bags, Burberry swimsuits, Bugaboo strollers, and other luxuries for the little one.
Frank
This small and comfortable Italian trattoria in the East Village has been in business for over a decade. Owner Frank Prisinzano has since opened more great Italian restaurants in the neighborhood, like Supper and Lil’ Frankie’s, but the original Frank is still a crowd favorite. Mom Heather Miele says that her kids “have been eating Grandma Carmella’s Gravy since they were born.”
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The Mercer
Known for its lofty rooms and understated intimacy, The Mercer Hotel embodies with ease the sort of downtown luxury that Soho does best. Sister site to Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont (and occupying a building originally built for an Astor), its 75 rooms are frequently occupied by the well-heeled and well-known. Services include dog walking, private yoga sessions and in-room beauty treatments, and Guitar Hero and Wii are available upon request for any pint-sized patrons (or young-at-heart husbands). And is it coincidence that the hotel’s restaurant, Kitchen, boasts a menu created by Jean-Georges Vongerichten? No, we think not.
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Gramercy Park Hotel
Gramercy Park Hotel was built in 1925 on the site of Edith Wharton's birthplace, and its opulent interiors live up to the standards of the foundation it was built on. The hotel’s fantastical and meticulous interiors boasts a lobby that practically doubles as an exhibition space for contemporary art heavyweights such as Julian Schnabel, Andy Warhol, and Damien Hirst. This along with the impeccable service available has earned the hotel five stars (as well as the keys to the private Gramercy Park across the street). Take in the view from the tree-lined Gramercy Terrace, or stay indoors and enjoy one of the hotel's two bars or award-winning trattoria, Maialino.
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Eataly
This Italian superstore has every foodstuff you could ever crave, from fresh pasta to creamy cheeses to the widest selection of truffles you’ll find during the short season. Apart from the boutique grocery sections, Eataly is home to various restaurants offering glasses of wine and hot plates. If the crowds are too overwhelming to eat onsite, however, you can always get the makings for a delicious picnic and head outdoors.
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Tamago Skin Care
This Japanese skin center is cheap, relaxing, and effective—what more could a woman want? While it’s not luxurious (the space is small and very clean, but you won’t find any frills), customers come back for the results: the aestheticians do great Shiatsu massages and even better facials. The low prices will make you a regular if you live in the area, and if you’re just visiting, well, you can’t go wrong here either.
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