New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [136]
De Vera: eclectic selection of antiques and new objets d’art, from Murano glass to Japanese lacquer.
Accessories
Fragments: scoop up innovative jewelry from emerging or established designers.
Versani: if you believe that bigger and bolder is better, you’ll love the jewelry here.
SPOTLIGHT ON NOLITA
The Nabokovian nickname NoLITa, shorthand for “North of Little Italy,” covers a neighborhood that has taken the commercial baton from SoHo and run with it.
Like SoHo, NoLIta has gone from a locals-only, understated area to a crowded weekend magnet, as much about people-watching as it is about shopping. Still, unlike those of its SoHo neighbor, these stores remain largely one-of-a-kind. Running along the parallel north–south spines of Elizabeth, Mott, and Mulberry streets, between East Houston and Kenmare streets, NoLIta’s boutiques tend to be small and, as real estate dictates, somewhat pricey.
BEST TIME TO GO
Wednesday through Friday afternoons if you’re keen to shop without too many distractions, weekends for more people to scope out. Shops stay open latest (usually until 8 pm) Thursday through Saturday.
BEST SOUVENIR FOR YOUR BABYSITTER
Beautifully packaged candles exclusive to Red Flower (13 Prince St., at Elizabeth St. | 212/966–5301) in dreamy scents like Italian blood orange and Japanese peony. Or perhaps some calming chamomile or lavender bath products from the ancient Italian perfumer-pharmacist Lafco/Santa Maria Novella.
REFUELING
Hit the takeout window of Café Gitane (242 Mott St., at Prince St. | 10012 | 212/334–9552) for an espresso, or head inside for Moroccan French dishes like avocado toast or couscous. If you don’t mind getting your fingers messy, stop by Café Habana to Go (17 Prince St., at Elizabeth St. | 10012 | 212/625–2002) for an addictive grilled ear of corn, topped with chili powder, cheese, and a splash of lime.
BEST FOR
Too-cool-for-school clothes
Creatures of Comfort: the funky separates here are in pale, muted colors.
Duncan Quinn: whether customized or off the rack, these button-downs and suits are perfectly cut.
Resurrection: mint-condition vintage Pucci and Courrèges make this a stylist’s gold mine.
Calypso: almost half-a-dozen boutiques in NoLIta alone for softly exotic clothes and housewares.
Tory Burch: score a pair of her signature ballet flats or bohemian chic tunics and skinny cords in eye-popping colors.
Foxy shoes
Sigerson Morrison: this strappy-sandal success has the biggest footprint in the ’hood.
… and other accessories
Me&Ro: Indian-inspired gold and silver jewelry, from shoulder-duster earrings to tiny lotus-petal pendants.
SPOTLIGHT ON THE LOWER EAST SIDE
Once home to multitudes of Jewish immigrants from Russia and Eastern Europe, the Lower East Side has traditionally been New Yorkers’ bargain beat. The center of it all is Orchard Street, where vendors still holler, “Lady, have I got a deal for you!”
Here tiny, no-nonsense clothing stores and scrappy stalls hang on to the past while funky local designers gradually claim more turf. A few cool vintage clothing and furniture spots bridge the two camps. Ludlow Street, one block east of Orchard, has become the main drag for twentysomethings with attitude, its boutiques wedged in between bars and low-key restaurants. Anything too polished is looked on with suspicion—and that goes for you, too. For the full scope of this area, prowl from Allen to Essex streets, south of East Houston Street down to Broome Street. A tip: wear closed shoes to stay clear of broken glass and other crud on the sidewalks.
BEST TIME TO GO
Come on a Sunday afternoon, when Orchard Street between East Houston and Delancey streets becomes a vehicle-free pedestrian zone. On Saturday the old-school stores close for the Jewish Sabbath.
BEST SOUVENIR FOR YOUR FAVE KITCHEN AIDE
Raid the Lower East Side Tenement Museum gift shop (108 Orchard St., between Delancey and Broome Sts. | 212/982–8420) for a cheery reproduction 1950 Empire State souvenir kitchen towel or a ceramic version of the Greek key coffee cup.
REFUELING
Get your