The really special thing about visiting a big city isn’t the culture or the food, but the energy that hums throughout. It’s been built up by generations of people experiencing big moments, discovering new things, falling in love, and having their hearts broken. Taken all together, it’s an uncountable amount of heady memories that have seeped into the walls of city sidewalks, establishing a patina that can’t be faked.
So inspired, we took a favorite Manhattan neighborhood, the West Village, and looked at current addresses with a mind to the past. The result? A trio of spots with a magical feel due to decades of the-city-that-never-sleeps history.
Kathy Lo
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Where:
Cafe Reggio, 119 Macdougal Street
Kathy Lo
Why:
Opened in 1927, it claims to have brought the cappuccino to the U.S. (you can still see the original, early 1900s-era espresso machine). It’s been in iconic set-in-NYC movies and its doorway served as a pulpit for a pre-presidential JFK.
What you’ll find:
Today, cosmopolitan visitors will get a perfect pour plus authentic Italian treats. It’s the sort of spot you can pop by first thing, when an early morning hush still hangs over the streets, or traipse into for an afternoon break after hours of shopping.
The dress code is decidedly casual, making it perfect for statement denim, a sportswear-inspired topper, and a perfectly sized bag with a playful spirit. We’re especially in love with Gucci’s lightweight, surprisingly roomy Trapuntata.
Shop the look on Gucci.com: Bag, $1,750; Jacket, $5,600; Jeans, $1,300; Glasses, $1,230
Kathy Lo
Where:
Abingdon Square, 8th Avenue and West 12th Street
Why:
Way before being a public park, Abingdon’s green space was part of a 300-acre farm an early Manhattan settler purchased in the first half of the 1700s. It’s been cut way down in size, but still provides the same opportunity to commune with nature.
What you’ll find:
A gem amidst the bustle of downtown. New York City parks are a precious part of the fiber of the city, and the joy of finding one to stop in for a breather can’t be overstated. Everything you need on a given Saturday is right there—like stellar food and drinks—but feel free to ignore it all and focus on the lush, well-kept greenery for a bit of city magic.
Shop the look on Gucci.com: Bag, $1,750; Sweatshirt, $1,600; Shirt, $650; Skirt, $1,980; Sunglasses, $725; Sneakers, $750
Kathy Lo
Where:
Minetta Tavern, 113 Macdougal Street
Why:
Poets, playwrights, iconic people in nearly every field—it’s the ultimate place to order something at the bar and pray the walls will start talking. Prior to that, it was a speakeasy called The Black Rabbit (it closed in 1929).
What you’ll find:
Go for a drink or go for dinner: No matter where you sit, you’ll soak up the feeling of old-school New York. It’s an intimate, two-room space that doesn’t feel as if the decor has changed since its 20th century heyday (in the best possible way). Sketches and caricatures of famous diners line the wall—the artists were paid in food and drink—and the red banquettes and checkerboard floor compete for status as most glossy.
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Under the direction of famed restaurateur Keith McNally, the food is sublime (and changed to French focused from its original Italian menu). Come ready for red meat, steak or a burger, and you won’t leave disappointed.
Shop the look on Gucci.com: Bag, $1,750; Jacket, $3,700; Pants, $1,200; Shirt, $700; Sneakers, $1,590; Necklace, $2,500
