Recommended by my friend and talented illustrator, Isabel Castillo Guijarro, this spot makes incredible cappuccinos and is in one of my favorite NYC buildings, the WoolWorth Building

City Island is a seaside town in the Bronx. Known for its fishing, seafood, and main street it is a self-contained working-class haven. The buildings range from late 1800's houses to 1960's storefronts, and you can smell the ocean everywhere on the island. Restaurants and local pubs dot City Island Ave, and even the few empty storefronts stay vibrant. 

NYC's skyline has been drastically changing, and Frank Gehry has added a real masterpiece with 'New York by Gehry at 8 Spruce Street'. It is subdued compared to Gehry's other work, but also elegant, subtle, and delicate. When you stand directly under it the skin of the building can best be described as reptilian.

Lunch there before a visit at the MET with a walk in Central Park

It’s a great bookstore with an interesting yet relatable selection of art books