New York

confession – i do not surf, nor is it very likely that i will ever set foot on a surfboard (i was going to insert a comment on beyonce, but i fear i would digress in a direction wholly unsuitable for this blog). except perhaps i will try paddleboarding, when the lake here in geneva is very still. i guess it’s obvious that i’m not a daredevil? i never was the type to climb into trees or rough it up during sports. i’m the type that is jealous of the cool girls on their skateboards, and the type that will try to snowboard for ten years before giving up and realizing that maybe taking up a sport because it seemed ‘cool’ was not the best idea ever.

that said, i do still like the vibe around some of these board sports – relaxed, casual, happy and fun. so anytime i discover a brand that channels this vibe, i turn into their biggest fan. especially now that my favorite cities seem to be bombarded with surf labels and shops. i love-love-love CUISSE DE GRENOUILLE in paris, and on my last trip to new york i made it my mission to visit each and every of the surf-inspired stores that have popped up in recent years.

why? because they have awesome clothes, super nice accessory lines that you can hardly find anywhere else, and almost without exception, they serve really good espresso. my favorite place in manhattan has to be the little patio behind the SATURDAY’S SURF shop, with its cozy lights and everything. and if i lived on the lower east side, i’m sure LOST WEEKEND would be my main hangout – their communal table is the best place to meet cool new people. and in williamsburg, it’s PILGRIM SURF + SUPPLY that stole my heart with its colorful interior.

photos by matthias rabaey and stephanie duval // originally taken for the CONNECTIONS urban explorer guide to new york – click HERE to check the guide for more of my favorite places // and HERE for more new york favorites on this blog


eating is one of my favorite things to do every single day of my life, but it’s extra special while traveling, because along with great meals and new ingredients, you discover cool places and different people. every time we go to NEW YORK, we try to hit a few of our all time favorites, but make plenty of time for discovering new eateries. and since every day new restaurants and cafes open their doors, it’s a treasure hunt that never ends.

we like to focus on places that have a really nice interior and inventive menu, and preferably lean towers healthy food, too. it’s all too easy to equate american cuisine with supersized portions and tons of sugar, but if you know where to go, i’ve found that americans can be superstars at remixing old traditions and mundane ingredients to dishes that haunt me in my dreams for weeks after the trip.i have a never-ending list of restaurants that i still would like to try some day, and of places where i send my friends when they travel to new york. i’ve already shared a few of our favorite addresses ON THIS BLOG, but i wanted to introduce you to three that we really enjoyed during our most recent trip.

 the top three photos were taken at THE BUTCHER’S DAUGHTER in nolita – the best place for coldpressed juices and a healthy breakfast to start the day. the ones in the middle are from THE FAT RADISH, a place in the lower east side of manhattan that we return to at least once during every trip. it has the best veggie-based dishes and ah-ma-zing cocktails. the owners recently opened up a place across the street, THE LEADBELLY, which has the best bar food we’ve ever tasted in our lives. and the last place is called ISA and is located in williamsburg. it’s an italian place with a rad interior and slightly crazy atmosphere. i’ve heard the service can be a little weird, but our experience there was pretty good.

photos by matthias rabaey and stephanie duval // originally taken for the CONNECTIONS urban explorer guide to new york – click HERE to check the guide for more of my favorite places // and HERE for more new york favorites on this blog

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my name is stephanie duval, and i am a storyteller. this blog is where i share my favorite stories about design, travel, fashion and the nice things in life.

 

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