My first job in the city. The family and friends and raised New York Megan. Also very good coffee. And lovely neighbors.

Economy Candy is an old-fashioned family owned candy store in the Lower east side. With glorious aisle after aisle of candy stocked as high as the eye can see including innumerable brands you never knew were still in production – its a treat for the eyes as well as the belly. Every time I get inside I'm looking for Willy Wonka.

Its an image imprinted in everybody's mind: the background for hundreds of movies, ads and commercials. Actually standing on a saturday-night at Time Square, hearing dozens of different languages of tourists around you, and being fully emerged with the sounds and light, slightly frantic and crazy… You are in NY.

Great barber shop. Been there for years. Used to be upstairs, moved downstairs. A New York City staple. Need a haircut? Go here... Oh yeah, and they have karaoke. Enough said.

I discovered the Frick my first week in New York, during a heat wave in August. The galleries were surprisingly empty, with only the occasional visitor strolling through the rooms, gently creaking the floorboards. I stood for a while in front of the Bronzino, a portrait of a boy standing against a background of green drapery, and then sat in the courtyard for a long, cool hour.