New York is a glamorous and
gritty maze of dichotomy: from the Chanel-suit-wearing ladies of Park Avenue to
the leather-wearing divas of downtown, there is huge gap. The cultural (and financial) divide between
the creative caldron that resides in Brooklyn and the refined and established
richness of the West Village is increasingly apparent. From Harlem to the Upper West Side, the
distance is not long, but the differences are vast.
This complex labyrinth of
opposites actually propels the machinery of the city and is, in fact, what
makes New York City great. New Yorkers
remain creative, independent and powerful as always, continuously imbibed with
the alchemy generated from its diverse population. This population, unlike any
other I’ve seen, exudes camaraderie, compassion and colossal creativity.
Most New Yorkers have their
favorite neighborhood and mine is SoHo.
From my abode I can observe all the greatness of this cosmic collection
of counter culture. Thousands of
tourists walk these streets daily, searching for bargains on products not found
in their native land. Locals, who vie
for sidewalk space, have learned to live in the midst of chaos. Adding to the mix, are street vendors,
paparazzi and hundreds of celebrities who aim to remain incognito.
Before moving here, I always
thought SoHo was an unbearably messy and pretentious neighborhood. Over time, I began to realize the charm
hidden in its cobblestone streets and the historic cast iron buildings, which
once were the homes and studios of virtuosos like Keith Haring, Maripol, Andy
Warhol, Donald Judd and Basquiat. These same buildings have evolved into
something a little more mainstream and now house every major fashion brand. Prada, Chanel, Alexander Wang and Catherine
Malandrino are only some of fashion giants that make of this neighborhood an
economic gem of the fashion world.
Over time I have learned to
navigate the side streets, away from the crowds, and to discover hidden
treasures of the locals. From
restaurants to spas, from local brands to obscure cafes, everything here has a
special feel and a unique story to tell.
Once again, opposites sit side by side, smiling – the tiny, family-owned
Italian café is around the corner from the home of $1800 shoes and $6000
handbags. I prefer the café – espresso
anyone?
Sadly, but no less exciting,
my neighbors are no longer famous modern artists (most of whom are no longer
with us), but young models, actors and singers.
Claire Danes, Justin Timberlake, Tyra Banks and Adam Sandler are just
some of the people with whom I share my favorite spots. At Café
Café I make my daily stops in the morning to grab some iced tea. At Ground
Support I can’t pass on a grilled ham & cheese and a soy latte made to
perfection. At night, a stop by Butter or Indochine for a meal remains a sure bet. There, an encounter with Anna Wintour,
Madonna or Fran Leibovitz is a strong possibility.
A recent addition to the
neighborhood is the beauty clinic Erno
Laszlo, named after the legendary dermatologist
Perhaps one of the most
talked about and sought after shops in the area is Treasure & Bond, part of
the portfolio of Nordstrom. The appeal is its luxury items available for
affordable prices in two gigantic floors.
Selling furniture, housewares, books and clothes for all ages, this
store reserves all its profit for charity.
To make sure the wealth is distributed equally to those who in need, the
charities change every six months
A stop for lunch is a must. Along with 100 Acres and others, The Dutch is
another new arrival and its American Cuisine doesn’t disappoint. Starting with its freshly baked corn bread
and onto fried chicken, every bite here feels like a little piece of heaven.
SoHo is also home to one of
the cities most renowned and successful Japanese restaurants. After more than twenty years, Blue Ribbon
Sushi remains a favorite. The absolute freshest
fish make this highbrow restaurant one of the best. Don’t be fooled by its discreet setting
however, its permanence in this city is proof that the food is impeccable.
From dusk till dawn,
breakfast to dinner, SoHo is imbued with so many magical qualities. I have grown to adore this neighborhood. Everything I need is only a few steps away
and the word “subway” has vanished from my vocabulary. SoHo proves to be one of the most perfectly
evolved areas in town, maintaining its original character and charm, even as masses
of tourists and wealthy developers make their way through the historic
cobblestone streets.
--- This article was originally published in Portuguese in Parochi Magazine, in Brazil. ---
