I have an almost religious relationship with this bar. Founded in 1892 and located just off Union Square, Old Town is a historic and venerated institution, yet to my surprise, it still manages to float a little under the radar. It boasts a majestic old world grandeur: there’s a marble and mahogany bar, stained glass windows, metal cash registers,... See more

But where do these rituals come from? Often they come simply from sitting at the bar and chatting with the bartenders while watching them work. Perched on a stool, belly to the bar, you may learn not only about the minutiae of taste and technique—why grapefruit peel is better than orange peel in certain drinks, how to correctly “wash” a glass with... See more

Where do you find yourself dining most often during this off-season time?

I love dining at Nunziatina's, a retro-looking restaurant decorated with vintage armchairs, lamps, and pillows. For me, choosing a restaurant goes beyond eating well—it must also be a nice place. My eyes are always seeking strange and fascinating things, and I find them... See more