Back in the New York Groove

The energy in New York City is suddenly palpable. Almost overnight, it seems the City That Never Sleeps has awakened from a rare (pandemic-induced) slumber and, unsurprisingly, it is making up for lost time, with new museums, parks, restaurants, bars, and so much more. Indeed, one of our greatest culture hubs is back in action — but where to begin? Put these exciting new arrivals on your must-see list for your next visit.

NEW YORK CITY

SEE

The heart and soul of Manhattan — Broadway! — is gearing up for a valiant return with reprisals of classics and modern favorites alike, from Chicago and Hamilton (both reopening in September) to newer cult hits like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which comes back to the stage on November 12 with a new format transforming the Tony-winning two-part play into a single show. An incredible roster of debuts is scheduled as well, from Trouble in Mind, a reprisal of Alice Childress’s famous 1955 play, to Flying Over Sunset, a new musical from James Lapine, a three-time Tony Award winner.

DO

There’s plenty more culture to soak up beyond Broadway, from the new Midnight Theater, an intimate playhouse with just 160 seats that promises a contemporary variety show with acts like magic shows, theatrical plays, and musical and comedic performances. The new Little Island park is also ramping up its events schedule, with many performances open to the public free of charge. Meanwhile, New York’s museums are welcoming visitors back with some impressive exhibitions and new spaces: Yayoi Kusama’s long-awaited immersive show at the New York Botanical Garden, MoMA’s recently unveiled addition and expansion, and the Frick Collection’s fresh space on Madison Avenue are all making waves in the city’s already-crowded cultural scene. 

To experience more of the new New York, look no further than the soon-to-be-completed Manhattan West, which completes a spectacular stretch of recent development extending from the renovated Moynihan Station to Hudson Yards to the Chelsea Arts District (and all connected by the High Line). Manhattan West brings incredible new park space to the neighborhood, including Citrovia, a whimsical 30,000-square-foot art installation resembling a magical lemon grove in the middle of the city. It also adds elevated services like a flagship Peloton Studios and seasonal ice-skating rink to the retail extravaganza that already exists just steps away at Hudson Yards, which is home to upscale brands like Cartier, Dior, and Vilebrequin.

EAT

After a monumentally challenging year for restaurants, New York’s dining scene has rebounded — and then some. Al fresco seating is now permanently approved, keeping the city bustling from corner to corner, and restaurants both old and new are once again fielding throngs of hungry diners. In the Manhattan West development, two new restaurants from celebrity restaurateur Danny Meyer will open this September, alongside NYC’s first outpost of Katsuya (LA’s beloved sushi hotspot from chef Katsuya Uechi) and Casa Dani, from Dani García (best known for his eponymous three-Michelin-star restaurant in Marbella, Spain). Elsewhere in Midtown, Chef John Fraser has opened Greek eatery Iris, and, in the One Vanderbilt tower,  Daniel Boulud’s latest endeavor, Le Pavillon, serves three-course menus with a focus on vegetables and seafood. 

For something meatier, head to Les Trois Cheveaux, West Village darling Angie Mar’s new fine dining destination with its own three-course seatings, and a menu chock-full of decadence, from frog legs and duck terrine to pigeon breast and foie gras. The parade of big-name chefs continues in the Seaport District with new openings from Andrew Carmellini and David Chang. Carmellini (of Tribeca’s Locanda Verde) has debuted Carne Mare, an Italian chophouse spanning two levels and specializing in rich dishes like the Wagyu strip loin with Gorgonzola and mozzarella sticks dressed with caviar. Chang, meanwhile, has debuted another Momofuku hit, Ssäm Bar.

DRINK

These days, the best drinks come with the best views. Sidle up to the bar at Peak, located on the 101st floor of the Hudson Yards development’s tallest building, and order from one of the city’s most extensive wine lists while looking out over one the city’s most expansive views. At the new Pendry Hotel, opening September, there are two rooftop venues: the 28-floor whiskey bar and the fourth-floor cocktail terrace. Rain or shine, Somewhere Nowhere is another Midtown spot for a sip, located on the top two floors of the Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel and the site of many a spinning DJ set.

STAY

Our two-bedroom residences in Midtown at Park Avenue Place are outfitted in chic metropolitan flair with cityscape views, ideal for business trips, sightseeing weekends, and holiday shopping traditions. An exceptionally well-connected Concierge lets you indulge in the best of the City — see Broadway shows, dine Michelin-star style, privately tour museums, or simply enjoy the lights in The City That Never Sleeps.

City Slickin'

NYC isn’t alone: Cities are coming back in a big way. Here, new experiences in three more Member-favorite metropolises.

LONDON

EAT • The Ferragamo family’s Il Borro Tuscan Bistro recently opened in Mayfair, serving fresh seasonal ingredients in traditional Italian dishes inspired by the famous fashion clan’s Arezzo estate.

SEE • The Tate Modern welcomes Yayoi Kusama with the presentation of not one but two of the Japanese artist’s famed Infinity Mirror Rooms, on exhibition until June 12, 2022.

DO • Make a day of it at the Royal Academy Mayfair, which has an exciting lineup of exhibitions planned, including an extensive collection of new works from David Hockney (which the artist created in the midst of the pandemic) and Francis Bacon’s visceral paintings. Then head to the museum’s new sit-down restaurant and bar from acclaimed Spanish chef José Pizarro for some culture of the taste buds.

STAY • The Club's two-bedroom luxury suites at Taj 51 Buckingham Gate are steps from Buckingham Palace and come staffed with trained butlers ready to deliver valet service and freshly ironed newspapers. Dine at the Michelin-starred Quilon and unwind at the award-winning Jiva Spa.

SAN FRANCISCO 

EAT • Rich Table is a post-pandemic success story of epic proportions: Chef Brandon Rice had nearly completed a Kickstarter for his Mission restaurant when COVID arrived. Now, more than a year later, he has managed to open one of the city’s most acclaimed new eateries, serving eclectic California cuisine and super-fresh seafood.

SEE • Diego Rivera’s iconic Pan American Unity mural — painted by the Mexican artist in San Francisco in 1940—has a new home in the Roberts Family Gallery at SFMOMA. The 74-foot-wide fresco is on view free to the public through summer 2023.

SHOP • The best of San Francisco’s creative minds come together at the Ferry Building, the historic waterfront marketplace that’s home to farm-fresh eats, local artisan shops, and special events. Among the newest openings is Cholita Linda, specializing in Latin American street-food-style dishes, and the Epicurean Trader, purveyor of small-batch artisanal and gourmet goods.

STAY • Our two-bedroom luxury homes in The Fairmont Ghirardelli feature city or bay views and are within walking distance of many neighborhoods and attractions, including family-friendly Fisherman's Wharf. Easily explore with a house car and chauffeur, while amenities — like butler service and private wine storage — tempt you back at day's end.

CHICAGO

EAT • One of Chicago’s most anticipated fine-dining openings, Esmé, is a collaborative effort between husband-and-wife duo Jenner Tomaska (the chef) and Katrina Bravo (the creative director), and local artists and organizations. Every few months, the chef’s tasting menu will change based on the new partnerships, making this newcomer the gift that keeps on giving. 

SHOP • Browse the works of more than 200 Chicago-based artists and designers at Buddy, a new collaborative marketplace in the Chicago Cultural Center where you can pick up everything from fine-art sculptures to tie-dyed sweatpants. 

DO • One of the most popular attractions in Chicago, the Skydeck at Willis Tower has undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation giving the high-flying observation deck an interactive museum and a sleek new design. What hasn’t changed, of course, are the incredible views from 1,450 feet above the city.

STAY • One of the ten prestigious hotels in the world to boast five-star Forbes ratings, our coveted two-bedroom residences in Trump International Hotel & Tower gaze out over a 180-degree view of the river and Lake Michigan — including the fireworks show at Navy Pier — in a prime downtown locale for easy city living.