A gorgeous place to wander and explore, especially during cherry blossom season when the colonnade of soft pink cherry trees are in full bloom on the esplanade. I’m also a big fan of the tropical and desert gardens.

Niche cinema for people who care too much about film and like obscure things. The restaurant/bar upstairs has great food, drinks, and skylights too.

I LOVE going to the movies, so the concept of a dinner-movie theater is pretty darn dreamy. Nitehawk screens the best in independent film, both past and present. This includes a brunch film series; a “Lil Hawks” series (for smaller cinephiles); a “Midnite Movies” series, and more... What a thrill it is to see film classics up on the big screen that you may have missed on their first run. We’ve watched Woody Allen’s 1973 “Sleeper” while eating waffles and seen Buster Keaton’s silent film “The General” with a live band! In addition to their main menu and freshly popped-popcorn (but, of course!), Nitehawk’s staff always offers up a cocktail, main dish, and desert inspired by the flicks currently showing. Sadly their fish tacos, have disappeared from their main offerings, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they may read this and (please!!) bring them back.

Originally named the New York State Theater and designed by Phillip Johnson in the 60’s, this building has been home to both the New York City Ballet and New York City Opera since its opening. This is a view of the promenade at intermission, during a ballet performance celebrating the birthday of George Balanchine.

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!