An Upper East Side Day
📍 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan
Shirt || Jeans || Flats ($50 off with code SARAHFLINT-BAKATIE) || Similar Handbag || Earrings || Bracelet
To ring in my 30th year around the sun, David and I flew up to NYC for a magical long weekend. While late-night cocktails at Bemelman’s were the highlight, revisiting our former neighborhood in the Upper East Side was a very close second. Since I had the pleasure of calling this slice of Manhattan home for two years, we came in with a long list of local favorites that we just had to see. We couldn’t make it to every destination in just a short weekend, but we’re already planning on being back very soon. With travel quickly opening up again, you may just find yourself in the pristine streets of New York’s chicest neighborhood. Here’s what not to mix while spending a day in the Upper East Side.
Have a Fashionable Morning Coffee
Each New York neighborhood has a long list of coffee shops, and the Upper East Side is no exception. You have everything from corner vendors to chains and a few pricier European bistros. My favorite will forever and always be Ralph’s Coffee at the corner of Madison Avenue and East 72nd Street. For starters, when you can dine inside, you are surrounded by quintessential Americana fashion straight from Ralph Lauren himself. When I was a daily regular, it served as the ultimate source of inspiration. Grab your coffee drink of choice (mine is their Orange Espresso Tonic) and croissant to go to stroll through Central Park. From here, Bethesda Terrace and the Conservatory are just a quick walk away.
Explore The MET
After a refreshing walk through Central Park, make your way to The Met. You can’t miss it, but just in case, it’s the sweeping building right on Fifth Avenue. For my Gossip Girl lovers, this needs no introduction. The MET is the largest art museum in the United States and is where I’m happiest. I could spend hours upon hours aimlessly exploring the different wings, which serves as the closest thing to time travel I’ll ever experience. While some of the most famous works of art in the world are in the European Section, I like to turn right and make my way through the American Wing. If you arrive early enough, you can have it all to yourself. Your own personal art collection!
Continue Getting Lost at The MET
If your feet start getting sore in the MET, keep going! After all, it covers over 600,000 square feet of space. At some points, it can feel like a maze, but that only adds the allure. How many priceless works of art can you name? Monet, Van Gogh, and Dumas are always favorites, but it’s the ancient art that speaks to me. I always admire the well-preserved artifacts from Central Asia, the Middle East, Greece, and Rome. As you wander through the museum, be sure not to skip the exhibitions for what is sure to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Toast with Bellinis, Bloody Bulls, and Burgers
After you make it out of the MET, toast with a bellini. You deserve it! The Madison Avenue icon that is Sant Ambroeus is only a few blocks away and worth the visit! While you can opt for indoor or outdoor dining, I always prefer standing at the espresso bar for a quick pick-me-up or morning cocktail. Do some people watching because you never know who will walk through the door. You also never know who will stand next to you. Each time I practice this ritual, I begin talking with whoever is next to me, always having the most exciting and engaging conversation. All great minds go to Sant Ambroeus.
For something that will really fill you up, walk a few more blocks towards Lexington Avenue. J.G. Melon is an NYC mainstay and happens to have the best burgers in town. If you can, sit at the bar. You’ll feel like a regular, whether it’s your first or one-hundredth visit. For another morning cocktail, order the Bloody Bull. It’s their take on a Bloody Mary, with just a splash of beef broth. I know it sounds bizarre, but somehow it works. For food, it’s always and forever a cheeseburger with cottage fries. Honestly, need I say more? Word of caution, the Upper East Side location is strictly cash only, so plan accordingly.
Only Upper East Side, how I missed you! While in the old neighborhood, we even got to pop into our old building. It was so lovely to catch up with our doormen and know that everyone is doing well. We’ve missed them terribly! While this was a long lapse between visits to NYC, we certainly won’t let it happen again. Know that I’ll be back very soon!
Love from NYC,
Katie
As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.