It starts when a friend implores you to eat downstairs at La Esquina, the subterranean brasserie branch of Derek Sanders's Mexican axis of Kenmare Street. The food’s cheaper and probably better at the walk-in-only cafe around the corner from the restaurant’s entrance—a door disguised by a taqueria counter and a sign that reads “Employees Only”—but there’s a certain category of New Yorker who thrives on having what others don’t. A reservationist will ask you if you’ve “dined with us before,” and in general, it takes knowing someone in the industry, smooth talking, or (velvet-rope flashback) looking good and confident at the door, to waltz in at prime time. The reward is dining in a Mexican dungeon as styled for a Vogue shoot, complete with metalwork, distressed stone walls, and water dripping on the back of your neck (though the owners can probably thank the air conditioner for the added atmospherics). Making up the grinning crowd at secluded booths and in private cells (?): a healthy mix of models, cougars, and maybe John Mayer picking his way through red snapper ceviche, cauliflower and avocado taquitos, grilled octopus tostados, or a plate of tuna tartare with a tamarind glaze. If the food sounds light, you’re right; it’s playing to the delicious crowd.  This is, what "The New Yorker" wrote about this fantastic place!

The Ear Bar has been in New York longer than any of us. In a city of vacuous fleeting trendy bars the Ear Bar (which is really called the Ear Inn but I've never called it that) is the real deal.

A Gallery, A Cafe, A Shop, A Fashion brand, A Bar. This is the Boreum Hill version of Maison Kitsunes many places where they blend Music, fashion, Art, and food. Many times something interesting to see and just a beautiful space.

This is tres chic, quite the upper West side suite & puddle scene! The pro tip is sitting in the bar, they have amazing bar snacks, drinks and wine menu is a blast, and I can't think of a better way to end a successful shopping spree then drinks and dinner at Nougatine At Jean-Georges (at the bar)

I love how I walk around the city and bump into so many musicians. It's nice to see them rocking in the street and stopping busy New Yorkers from walking.