Where to Stay, Play and Invest in New York

The Worth guide to businesses, hotels, restaurants and experiences in New York.

WORTH

Published on May 14, 2019

New York City is one of the most dynamic cities in the country, loved for its incredible food and monumental attractions, along with housing some of the biggest and most innovative businesses in the country (not to mention the world). Worth has your guide to some of the most interesting businesses, hotels, restaurants and experiences the Big Apple has to offer.

Businesses

Partnership for New York City

This nonprofit composed of the city’s leading CEOs works with the government, employers and nonprofits to promote economic development. It has raised more than $135 million to invest in local businesses and nonprofits. 1 Battery Park Plaza, 5th floor, Kathryn S. Wylde, president and CEO, kwylde@pfnyc.org, 212.493.7400, pfnyc.org

Philanthropy New York

This regional association of grantmakers provides professional development for philanthropic leaders and promotes effective public policy for nonprofits. 320 E. 43rd St., Ronna Brown, president, rbrown@philanthropynewyork.org, 212.714.0699 ext. 206, philanthropynewyork.org

Silicon Harlem

This nonprofit aims to foster tech entrepreneurship in Harlem by bringing in gigabit internet infrastructure, providing coworking spaces and sourcing capital for startups in the neighborhood. The group also hosts a monthly meet-up of entrepreneurs and investors working in Harlem. info@siliconharlem.net, siliconharlem.net

Cornell Tech

This Cornell University outpost offers research and graduate-level programs in business, science and technology. It recently moved to a new 2.1-million-square-foot complex on Roosevelt Island; completion is slated for 2037. 2 W. Loop Rd., visit@tech.cornell.edu, tech.cornell.edu

Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment

MOME is the starting point of many productions in the city. The office can help coordinate permits and locations and connect productions with local labor. 1697 Broadway, 6th Floor, 212.489.6710, nyc.gov

Brooklyn College Barry R. Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema

The Feirstein School is breaking new ground in film education, and with its location at Steiner Studios in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, it’s a great starting point for producers exploring their options. 25 Washington Ave., Brooklyn, 718.237.3410, brooklyn.cuny.edu

Hotels

Lowell Hotel

The historic Lowell Hotel provides a peaceful home base for visitors who seek a residential neighborhood and an easy stroll from Central Park and the East Side’s world-class museums. The hotel’s Majorelle restaurant is itself a draw. 28 E. 63rd St., reservations@lowellhotel.com, 212.838.1400, lowellhotel.com

The Whitby Hotel

The art and design-centric Whitby takes its cues from the nearby Museum of Modern Art in everything from its wallpaper to its deck furniture. The hotel’s amenities include a 130-seat screening room and afternoon tea service. 18 W. 56th St., Manhattan, whitby@firmdale.com, 212.586.5656,
firmdalehotels.com/hotels/new-york/the-whitby-hotel

Wythe Hotel

The Wythe oozes Williamsburg hipsterism, but there’s a sophistication beneath the surface. Set in a renovated waterfront factory, the hotel has one of Brooklyn’s best rooftop bars. And its American restaurant, Reynard, is a study in wood-fired technique. 80 Wythe Ave., Brooklyn, hello@wythehotel.com, 718.460.8000, wythehotel.com

The Chatwal

Housed in a landmark 1930s Art Deco building in Midtown Manhattan, this five-star boutique offers lavish accommodations in its 76 guest rooms and suites, an indoor saltwater pool, a spa and fine dining in its chef Geoffrey Zakarian–helmed restaurant, the Lambs Club. 130 W. 44th St., 212.764.6200, thechatwalny.com

Crosby Street Hotel

Each of the 86 well-appointed guest rooms and suites at this hotel is one of a kind, designed with high-end furnishings and finishes, a warehouse aesthetic and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of Soho. 79 Crosby St., crosby@firmdale.com, 212.226.6400, firmdalehotels.com/hotels/new-york/crosby-street-hotel/

The Plaza

This New York icon remains a top destination for affluent guests because of its service, history and idyllic location at the edge of Central Park. Book the Eloise Suite, designed by Betsey Johnson, to experience the life of the fictional Plaza resident immortalized in children’s books. 768 Fifth Ave., George Cozonis, managing director, george.cozonis@fairmont.com, 212.546.5203, theplazany.com

Restaurants

Chinese Tuxedo

Eateries in Chinatown are typically pretty basic. Enter Chinese Tuxedo. Housed in the first Chinese theater on the East Coast, it serves up a tasty Chinese menu, featuring the shrimp and scallop wonton in imperial gold broth and crispy short ribs, in a hip, polished environment. 5 Doyers St., nihao@chinesetuxedo.com, 646.895.9301, chinesetuxedo.com

The Grill

Occupying the space that was once the legendary Four Seasons restaurant, the Grill has big shoes to fill. The upscale American steakhouse has attracted celebrities from Martha Stewart to Nas. If you want to savor steak tartare and lobster Newburg in a gorgeous and authentic period space, this is the spot. 99 E. 52nd St., reservations@thegrillnewyork.com, 212.375.9001, thegrillnewyork.com

James

This neighborhood spot is one of Brooklyn’s best kept secrets. Its seasonal, farm-to-table menu features simple, delicious new American dishes. Monday burger nights are legendary. Call ahead for reservations as space is limited. 605 Carlton Ave., Brooklyn, info@jamesrestaurantny.com, 718.942.4255, jamesrestaurantny.com

Agern

Danish restaurateur Claus Meyer has opened Agern in what used to be a men’s smoking lounge and restroom in Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall. Created with Icelandic chef Gunnar Gíslason, two tasting menus are available, along with à la carte dishes. Grand Central Terminal, 89 E. 42nd St., 646.568.4018, agernrestaurant.com

Blanca

This 12-person chef’s table within the famous Roberta’s pizzeria in Bushwick epitomizes fine dining in Brooklyn: an obscure neighborhood setting, an adventurous 20-plus-course tasting menu and a casual vibe despite having two Michelin stars. Make reservations online 30 days in advance. 261 Moore St., Brooklyn, blancanyc.com

Cosme

Chef Enrique Olvera brought upscale contemporary Mexican fare to New York with Cosme—one of the most expensive Mexican restaurants in the U.S. Large shared plates, perfectly paired wines, a curated cocktail program, sleek interiors and a bustling vibe make it an exciting experience. 35 E. 21st St., 212.913.9659, info@cosmenyc.com, cosmenyc.com

Experiences

The Met Breuer

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has expanded into the Marcel Breuer-designed 1960s building that previously housed the Whitney on Madison Avenue. Owned by the Whitney and leased to the Met, the five-level building with 29,000 square feet of gallery space opened in 2016. 945 Madison Ave., 212.731.1675, metmuseum.org/visit/met-breuer

New York Historical Society Museum & Library

The city’s oldest museum reopened its fourth floor in 2017 as the Center for the Study of Women’s History—the first permanent public exhibit in America devoted to the subject. 170 Central Park West, womenshistory@nyhistory.org, 212.873.3400, nyhistory.org

New York Yankees

There’s nothing like an early fall outing to see the Bronx Bombers. The best experience in Yankee Stadium is in the Delta SKY360˚suite, complete with a private lounge, wait service and an outdoor patio to watch the game. 1 E. 161st St., Bronx, 718.293.4300, mlb.com/yankees/tickets/premium/suites/delta-sky360

Brooklyn Academy of Music

Nestled in the heart of Brooklyn’s artistic community, BAM is a top venue for live music, opera, theater, dance and cinema. The performance center can be counted on for both underground hits and A-list stars. Its lineup is always packed and constantly changing, so be sure to check the online calendar before scheduling a visit. 30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, 718.636.4100; bam.org

Museum of the Moving Image

From exhibits about GIFs and video games to screening series of Jim Henson classics or films made in rural settings, MoMI, in Astoria, has a reputation for pushing the boundaries of what counts as art in a provocative but always interesting way. 36-01 35th Ave., Queens, 718.777.6800, movingimage.us