New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [150]
Partners & Spade.
Owners Andy Spade and Anthony Perduti have lined this small space with all kinds of carefully curated knickknacks, ranging from the silly to the sublime. You might find a metal helicopter sprinkler or antique globes. The shop’s own line of books is wonderfully quirky, covering everything from girls on bikes to the benefits of looking up in Manhattan. The shop is open by appointment only midweek but is open to the public on weekends. | 40 Great Jones St., between Lafayette and Bowery Sts., East Village | 10012 | 646/861–2827 | Subway: 4, 6 to Bleecker St.
Beauty
Bond No. 9.
Created by the same fragrance team as Creed, this line of scents is intended to evoke the New York City experience. Perfumes are named after neighborhoods: Central Park, a men’s fragrance, is woodsy and “green,” and the new Washington Square pairs purple rose with tarragon and a hint of leather. The shop, with its airy space and wood-panel Tea Library, is a lovely place to linger. | 9 Bond St., between Lafayette St. and Broadway, East Village | 10012 | 212/228–1732 | Subway: 6 to Bleecker St.
Kiehl’s Since 1851.
At this favored haunt of top models and stylists, white-smocked assistants can help you choose between the lotions and potions, all of which are packaged in simple-looking bottles and jars. Some of the products, such as the Ultra Facial Cream, Silk Groom hairstyling aid, and superrich Creme de Corps, have attained near-cult status among beautyphiles. TIP Kiehl’s is known for being generous with samples, so be sure to ask for your own bag of take-home testers. | 109 3rd Ave., at E. 13th St., East Village | 10003 | 212/677–3171 | Subway: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W to 14th St./Union Sq.
Books and Stationery
St. Mark’s Bookshop.
Downtown residents, NYU students, and intellectuals in general love this store, spending hours poking through popular and oddball fiction and nonfiction. You’ll find a truly eclectic, attitudinal collection of books here, not unlike the salespeople. On the main floor, books on critical theory are right up front, across from new fiction titles—this is perhaps the only place where you can find Jacques Derrida facing off against T. C. Boyle. Cultural and art books are up front as well; literature and literary journals fill the back of the store. TIP It’s open daily until midnight. | 31 3rd Ave., between 8th and 9th Sts., East Village | 10003 | 212/260–7853 | Subway: 6 to Astor Pl.
Fodor’s Choice | The Strand Bookstore.
This downtown hangout proudly claims to have “18 miles of books.” Craning your neck among the tall-as-trees stacks will likely net you something from the mix of new and old. Take an elevator ride to the third floor for rare-book selections. | 828 Broadway, at E. 12th St., East Village | 10003 | 212/473–1452 | Subway: L, N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6 to 14th St./Union Sq.
Clothing
John Varvatos.
Over the past few years Varvatos has amplified his rock-and-roll ties, with rock-star photos in his stores and ad campaigns starring Franz Ferdinand and ZZ Top. It’s apropos, considering that he’s taking over the CBGB club space to use as another boutique for hawking expensive, soft-shouldered suits, cotton crewnecks, and jeans in leather, velvet, or denim. | 315 Bowery, between E. 1st and E. 2nd Sts., East Village | 10003 | 212/358–0315 | Subway: F to Lower East Side/2nd Ave.
Pas de Deux.
Fashion editors love this little boutique—which looks like it was imported straight from Paris—thanks to the marble checkerboard floor, chandeliers, and fine woodwork. The well-edited selection includes dresses, trench coats, and denim from Rag & Bone, Philip Lim, and Vena Cava. There are also lots of lovely little accessories, like eyeglasses, cardholders, and delicate necklaces. | 328 E. 11th St., between 1st and 2nd Aves., East Village | 10003 | 212/475–0075 | Subway: 4, 6 to Astor Pl.
Patricia Field.
If you loved Carrie Bradshaw’s wild outfits on Sex and the City, this is the place for you. As well as designing costumes for the show, Field has been