Best of Manhattan 2009
Being part of a city of strivers, each year our editorial staff attempts to compile a shortlist of must-eats, must-haves, must-tries and must-visits for our fair borough. We call this feature “The Best of Manhattan,” although most of the things we highlight are on the East and West sides. Still, there are plenty of reasons to travel downtown—especially if food and drink are involved. Read more
Best of Manhattan 09: Reader’s Choice Poll
Best Summer Festival: Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors
Best Public Space: Tie, the High Line and Central Park
Best Reason to Love NYC: The food Read more
Best of Manhattan 09: City Services
Best Grown Up Cut and Color: Two Do
210 W. 82nd St. (betw. Broadway and Amsterdam), 212-787-1277
Two Do is the place to go when it’s time to abandon your budget-minded haircutting ethos, but you’re afraid of ultra trendy salons that dole out pretension as lavishly as they pile on the mousse. Below street level and hidden behind a stairwell, Two Do feels like a secret, low-key spa—there’s absolutely no attitude. As soon as you enter, you are offered coffee or tea and cookies in their intimate, attractive salon. Co-owner and colorist extraordinaire Megan Gordon will spend time analyzing your hair and helping you decide on the technique and color that’s just right. Prices for color treatments and cuts are a little high but still reasonable for New York City, and given upfront—unlike at more upscale salons that coyly refrain from telling you the price until you’re slapped with an astronomical bill. My two process foil highlighting cost $150 and was well worth it since it “lasted” for four months. Similarly, the $88 cut by sweet Israeli stylist, Yaniv, grew out in a way that let me go longer between cuts than ever before. Yelpers rave about cuts by Sasha, and, indeed, the first day I went to Two Do an acquaintance emerged from the dressing room and I did a double take: she had gone from a pony-tailed, harried Mom look to a retro-chic Petula Clark style; Sasha had effected the transformation. Bye-bye Supercuts! Read more
Best of Manhattan 09: City Living
Best Fashion Trend that We’re Ready to See the End of: Women’s Gladiator Sandals
Just like the inexplicably omnipresent beige Burberry scarf that draped itself over every working woman from 1998-2000, or the boot that’s reminiscent of a loaf of bread (the Ugg), the gladiator sandal has taken the throne as the must-have accessory of urban professional females. And why not? These strappy numbers are versatile and go with just about everything, as long as you always want to look like a displaced Roman Centurion. Quirky throwback couture has officially given way to a fashion choice that, depending on the given circumstances, ranges from odd to downright inappropriate. There has to be a “no open-toe shoe” policy that some of these women are violating. Don’t make us call HR. Because we will. —JP Read more
Best of Manhattan: Arts and Entertainment
Best Triple Threat on Broadway: The Three Billies of Billy Elliot
David Alvarez, Kiril Kulish and Trent Kowalik: all three have singing, acting and—most importantly—dancing chops. Little wonder that they consistently upstage veteran Broadway actors whenever they show up on the scene. Consider the Tony Awards celebration at Radio City Music Hall last June, when the three Tony-nominated youngsters walked away with their statuettes. It was the first time that three actors have shared a Tony Award for the same role. And the lessons to be learned? Boys can do ballet and win, star quality gave these guys an edge and when it comes to pure talent, a triple threat is a triple threat is a triple threat. —DD Read more
Best of Manhattan 09: Eats and Drinks
Best $5 Lunch on the Upper East Side: Szechuan Kitchen
1518 First Ave. (betw. 79th & 80th), 212-249-4615
There are probably as many hole-in-the-wall Chinese “restaurants” in Manhattan as there are bodegas and pizza joints. They all offer pretty much the same fare, and if you’re in the mood for fried rice smothered in plastic packets of hot mustard, they’re the way to go. If, however, you want a truly flavorful, filling and jaw-droppingly cheap lunch, head to Szechuan Kitchen in Yorkville. The lunch menu has about 10 options for less than $5, and if you really want to splurge you can go for a shrimp dish for $5.50. Our recommendation is the diced chicken with bell peppers or chicken with cashews. If you decide to have them deliver, they’ll be ringing your buzzer before you’ve hung up. —JP Read more
THE BEST OF MANHATTAN 2008
We know the word “best” is a little presumptuous. And it’s easy to run into trouble with superlatives, especially in a city with so much to offer. Nevertheless, we took a stab at it and compiled our annual “Best of Manhattan” list, an eclectic and wide-ranging catalog of goods, services, foods, drinks, places, people, ideas, events and anything else that tickled us pink. Read more
BEST OF MANHATTAN: ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Best of Manhattan: Arts 
Entertainment
BEST OF MANHATTAN: SERVICES
Best of Manhattan: Services
Drinks
