Romilly Newman’s Guide to New York City

Armadillo’s guides are a considered exploration of a city’s material world – from storied architecture and considered hotels to the ateliers, dining rooms and neighborhoods that define its unique character.

Few cities captivate quite like New York. But to truly experience this city, regarded as the commercial and cultural heart of the United States, is to know where to look. The right hotel, the right table, the right neighborhood – at the right hour.

Someone who knows this choreography better than most is Romilly Newman. The 27-year-old tastemaker was born and raised in New York by parents in the film industry before studying culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Described as “Gen Z’s answer to Martha Stewart”, Newman has built a devoted following for her food styling, trendsetting tablescapes and the fact that she knows how to throw an excellent party.

Her work revolves around gathering – orchestrating dinners, shaping vibes and setting scenes. In a city where access, timing and energy are everything, Newman understands the rhythm of the place (she describes New York as “an eclectic tapestry of art and culture”) and how to move with it.

“My absolute favourite thing to do [in New York] is plan a day around a neighborhood,” she tells Armadillo. “It could be a Broadway show and martinis at The Grill, dumpling tour of Flushing Chinatown, or a visit to Prospect Park ending with a Brooklyn bakery crawl. There is so much to do and see here and every day can be its own little cinematic adventure.”

From tucked-away gems to iconic city highlights, this is New York through Romilly Newman’s lens.

STAY

For downtown cool, The Greenwich Hotel is Romilly’s pick. Tucked away in Tribeca, this 5-star hotel is owned by actor Robert De Niro and is loved for its cozy lobby, Japanese-inspired spa and sense of quiet luxury.

For an uptown escape, she turns to The Lowell, a luxurious New York legacy hotel situated on the Upper East Side, known for being home to one of the city’s best martinis.

EAT

“It’s impossible to choose just one!” says Newman, when asked about her all-time favourite New York City restaurants. “I have favourites for every occasion,” she adds.

She suggests Bridges for “delicious fare and a fun night out”, King for “a romantic dinner for two” and Jungsik for “an actually worth it tasting menu.”

Newman rounds out her picks with Austrian haunt Cafe Sabarsky, which she says is perfect for “a cozy Viennese meal,” adding, “There’s truly a best restaurant for every mood.”

As for coffee, she is partial to her own French press but says Abraço in the East Village and Cafe Regular in Park Slope are her favourite places for takeout.

“There is so much to do and see here and every day can be its own little cinematic adventure.”

DRINK

When cocktail hour rolls around, you’ll find Newman at Bar Contra on Orchard Street, which serves high-concept cocktails that taste as good as they sound.

“Bemelmans for a classic New York night,” is her other pick. This Upper East Side piano bar, tucked inside The Carlyle Hotel on the Upper East Side, is famous for its hand-painted murals by Ludwig Bemelmans, the author and illustrator of Madeline. The story goes that Bemelmans painted the murals in exchange for room and board – it remains his only public mural and features playful scenes of Madeline in Central Park.

SHOP

For shopping, Newman has a few personal favourites that capture both New York’s charm and character. She’s been visiting Three Lives and Company with her mom “since birth”, making it a true family tradition. For a taste of Brooklyn’s creative scene, she loves Outline in Brooklyn, while in the Lower East Side, Desert Vintage offers one-of-a-kind finds that reflect the city’s eclectic energy.

She also suggests a stop in at Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks, which she loves taking out-of-towners to. “[It's] a glorious time warp I love to get lost in.” This treasure trove offers rare and out-of-print cookbooks, magazines and antique volumes dating to the 18th century.

“[New York is] an eclectic tapestry of art and culture.”

SEE

A visit to New York would be incomplete without exploring its museums – key threads in the city’s rich cultural fabric. "I love swirling around the Guggenheim, pretending I live at The Frick, and Salon 94 has consistently amazing shows in one of the most beautiful spaces,” says Newman.

Lastly, one of her favourite quintessential New York moments is a visit to the flower district in Flatiron, with the following caveat: “Have lunch at the counter of S&P before!”