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Exclusive | Women's Travel: U.S. East Part Two

Exclusive | Women's Travel: U.S. East Part Two

NEW YORK

STAY
Gramercy Park (2 Lexington Ave., btwn 21st & 22nd Sts.; 212-920-3300 or 866-784-1300; $395+) Opened to much fanfare in 2006, the Ian Schrager-renovated Gramercy Park is now the reigning king of hotel uberhip. Though laissez-faire locals (loyal fans of its former rundown charm) like to bemoan the loss of the old property, there's little denying that the new Gramercy Park is tremendously fabulous in a very late-aughts kind of way. Gone is the hallmark Philippe Starck minimalism of previous Schrager efforts; in its place, Julian Schnabel's wacky but somehow supremely elegant mashing of far-flung design elements. The city's top scenesters imbibe at the Rose Bar downstairs. Oh, and Jude Law bunks here.

Hotel QT (125 W. 45th St., btwn Sixth Ave. & Broadway; 212-354-2323; $195+) offers a bit of boutique chic at (comparatively) bargain basement prices. Inspired by youth hostels, hotelier Andr? Balazs opened the QT in 2005, playfully nicknaming it "the subStandard."

The Pod (230 E. 51st St., btwn Second & Third Aves.; 800-742-5945; $99+) In perfect lockstep with the iPodifaction of the known world, the former Pickwick Arms has been recently reborn as The Pod, where accommodations are simple but stylish and savvy. Rooms feature a hip bounty of things you'd never expect to find in this price class: LCD TVs, iPod docking stations, free WiFi access and waterfall showerheads.

To keep close to the action in Brooklyn's Park Slope, reserve the suite at House on 3 Street (3rd Street; 718-788-7171; $150+), a gorgeous brownstone two blocks from Brooklyn's bars and five minutes from Manhattan by subway.

EAT
Rubyfruit Bar and Grill (531 Hudson St; 21-/929-3343; bar $8-12, restaurant $12-20) An old school lesbian-popular restaurant and bar in the West Village with a mellow, romantic atmosphere and a full menu served from 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Sapphic stars such as Martina, Melissa, and Rita Mae frequented here in the old days. Upstairs boasts a parlor with skylights. There is also an intimate dining room with a fireplace.

Lesbian kitchen goddess Anita Lo named her intimate den Annisa (13 Barrow Street, New York; 212-741- 6699; $27-33) after the Arabic word for women. This Greenwich Village oasis is subtly attired in neutral earth tones, lit by tabletop oil lamps and filled with diners stunned by eclectic a la carte miracles. From a foundation in French cuisine, Ms Lo has adventured to new frontiers of new American food, proffering astounding dishes, filled with intrigue. Wines are mostly from female vintners or from wineries with female proprietors.

Owned and run by top lesbian chef Gabrielle Hamilton, Prune (54 E. 1st St., btwn First and Second Aves.; 212-677-6221; brunch $11-19) is upscale East Village bohemia at its finest: fantastic food, understated art-hipster clientele, and enough Bloody Mary variations to turn the already magical weekend brunch into a serious party.

Perfect for a gourmet vegan feast after a day at the Met and/or Whitney, Candle 79 (154 E. 79th St., btwn Lexington & 3rd Aves.; 212-537-7179; $18-22) is a bit pricier than other herbivore options, but well worth it with delectable dishes even meat-lovers will savor.

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five

Related Articles:
Women's Travel: Introduction
Women's Travel: U.S. South
Women's Travel: U.S. West
Women's Travel: Canada/Mexico
Women's Travel: Europe
Women's Travel: Tours & Events
Women's Travel: Travel Safety

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