M+A’s NYC Guide

If you’re following us on Instagram , you know we were recently having the time of our lives in New York City! It was our first time hosting an event outside of our guideshop since before the pandemic, and it sure felt good to be back in the Big Apple.

We were in town throwing our 2022 Women Who Inspire Luncheon, which was such a wonderful event. But between event planning, party prep and meetings, we had to make time for a little fun. And thanks to all of you for sharing YOUR favorite spots with us over Instagram so we could visit some of those, too. We love hearing from you all!

The Big Apple has our hearts. So we are sharing our New York City Guide for all of you to check out some of the cool places we came across on our trip.

Where to grab a bite:

Pastis

Still dreaming about this meal. Located in the Meatpacking District (which also has amazing shopping, by the way), this is a cute little French spot. Amazing cocktails, and such delicious food, with a little Parisian vibe on the streets of New York. Team favorites were the East Coast oysters (obviously), steak frites, and the cheeseburger! Pure heaven. We also had a few celeb sightings here, which was awesome! Check them out here: Pastis

American Bar

Apparently, this is the newest and hippest spot in town. It’s hard to grab a reservation here due to the high demand, but trust us when we say, it’s totally worth it. Classic, delicious, “calories don’t count” types of food that you can’t put down — but elevated and chic.! Our favorite was the Pigs In A Blanket, believe it or not! Check them out here: American Bar

BG Restaurant

You knew this one was coming… Bergdorf Goodman’s Café on the very top floor was one of our splurges of the week. If you haven’t been, you must! Whether it’s for their high tea, a fancy dinner or simply a drink at the bar, this one is an iconic landmark. And if you creep downstairs to do a little shopping afterwards, it never hurts. Check them out here: BG Restaurant

Sweet Treats:

Levain Bakery

Yum, yum and YUM! This cute cookie place is legendary in New York. What started as just one small bakery has turned into a citywide phenomenon. The cookies are the size of your full fist.! Crispy on the outside and so ooey-gooey doughy on the inside. Also, the cutest decorated bakery ever. Check them out here: Levain Bakery

Billy’s Cupcakes

This one is located right next to our Upper West Side Guideshop. Every shape, size and flavor of cupcake you can imagine can be found here. Pair that with their deliciously fresh coffee and warm scones, and you’re set for the day. Check them out here: Billy's Cupcakes

Places to shop:

Showfield’s

Showfield’s is a four-floor department store, full of pop up brands. Each floor has a designated purpose. Floor 1 was Beauty Brands, Floor 2 was Lifestyle Brands, Floor 3 was Fashion Brands, and Floor 4 was an event space (where we hosted a swaddling tutorial for dads!). Every six months, the brands flip entirely! It’s a great way to find some cool, smaller businesses who you might not have heard of before. Check them out here: Showfield's

Bergdorf Goodman

Whether it’s a treat yourself kind if day or not, Bergdorf’s should be #1 on your list of places to check out because of its pure beauty. Gorgeous handbags, clothing and home accessories that seem to stretch on for miles! Check them out here: Bergdorf Goodman

Monica + Andy Upper West Side Guideshop

If you didn’t know, M+A has three storefront locations: Lincoln Park in Chicago, Oak Brook in the suburbs of Chicago, and Upper West Side in New York!.Full of organic kids clothing, grab-and-go gifts, and weekly classes and events for parents and kiddos, we are a must-visit next time you’re in town. Check us out here: Monica + Andy

Where to stay:

The Marlton

We have been staying here for years! It’s relatively affordable for New York, and has such an old-school charm that we adore. We love it so much that we even hosted our Luncheon here in their restaurant’s event space. Vintage art, brass finishes, old school feel with modern updates, and the coziest fireplace when you walk in — they even give you a real key to get into your room instead of a magnetic card. Check them out here: The Marlton

Cool spots to visit:

Goods for the Study Bookstore

Monica and her daughter stumbled upon this sweet space on their walk back to the hotel. This bookstore was floor to ceiling and wall to wall with colorful books. Check them out here: Goods for the Study

Chelsea Flower Market

For our event we hosted, we wanted to add in some fresh florals. So our team headed over to Chelsea to check out the legendary fresh flower market. Picture this: city blocks LINED with fresh florals bursting from every corner. Yes, it’s that amazing. Bursting with color and amazing scents, we grabbed some fresh dahlias and peonies for our party table.