"This new East Village joint serves some of the best saké in the city. Expect seasonal selections and a handwritten menu scribbled with quirky tips, from the Austin Special (a blend of Orion and Asahiyama) to local saké brand Brooklyn Kura. In the mood for a quick bite as well? Pair any of its drinks with a small plate or two. We recommend the crab with miso crema over crispy potatoes."

"Soho is not known for its wide pavements, which means that there can be little room to breathe when the masses descend. Near the hustle – but just far enough from the bustle – is the Crosby Street Hotel. It’s set back from the street, making it feel a little bit like the larger, grander hotels uptown. However, that’s where the comparisons end. Each of the hotel’s 86 rooms has its own unique décor, while the mannequins in every room are a clear nod to the surrounding fashion businesses. A variety of further nice touches tie to some of the Crosby’s sister hotels in London. Designer and co-owner Kit Kemp knew that these details would help set the properties apart."

"Former photographer César Vega worked in quality control for speciality coffee mills in northern Nicaragua before founding Café Integral in 2012. He and his trusted team designed many aspects of the minimalist interior at this former dry cleaner’s, including the spherical light fittings. The café takes coffee seriously but stops short of being snobbish and its focus on Nicaraguan beans lends it a welcome sense of regional identity. It also offers house-made milk alternatives, and doughnuts and cookies from New York suppliers, as well as a small but well-chosen food menu."

"John Marsala and Becka Citron’s charming Brooklyn shop sells one-off pieces of furniture and other objects for the tasteful gentleman, such as a hardwood coffee table made from defunct telephone poles and railway sleepers. The clothing pick is equally impressive, with jeans by US brand Raleigh Denim Workshop, jumpers by UK-based Universal Works and more. The homely space is also stocked with men’s accessories and grooming products, and there’s a barber shop at the back."

"Art collector Ronald Lauder and exhibition organiser Serge Sabarsky enjoyed a 30-year friendship and a shared love for modern German and Austrian art. Following Sabarsky’s death in 1996, Lauder decided to turn their passion into a reality and established the Neue Gallery in the beautiful William Starr Miller mansion on the edge of Central Park. It opened in 2001."

"This was the largest marble edifice in the country when it opened in 1911, which goes some way to explaining why it took 16 years to build. The Stephen A Schwarzman Building, often referred to as the “main branch” of the New York Public Library, is a beaux arts landmark located a few steps from Grand Central. It majestically sits on a large terrace, its entrance flanked by two large lions by the names of Patience and Fortitude."

"One of the things we really love about Brooklyn’s Prospect Park is how imperfect it is in shape. It is the place for a nice running loop of varied elevations and wandering paths. It even has a few trail elements (if that’s your thing)."