2009. New York-style.

Posted by Rachael Wright at 18:19 on 31 Dec 2009

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At this time of year, it's impossible to pick up a newspaper or magazine, or switch on the TV without being bombarded by a retrospective look at the last 12 months.  So, for want of more originality, here's my very own 2009 List.  

As this blog is about my life in New York, everything on the round-up is somehow connected to that, which technically means it's a September-December 2009 List.

I tried to keep everything in each category to a maximum of five things, but I'm completely useless at that.  For instance, if you asked me what my favourite film of all time is, I'd only be able to narrow it down to around 10.  And only after I've gone through a long-winded rumination about the specific, and usually imagined, criteria of such a list (‘it depends what mood I'm in' etc.).  So, by way of cheating, I've added the odd ‘honourable mention' so I can fit other things in. 

To summarise: I am indecisive.

SONGS
Jay Z ft. Alicia Keys - Empire State Of Mind

A bit of a cliché, but this track began getting airplay around the same time I arrived and it makes me smile every time I hear it.

The Drums - I Felt Stupid

A Brooklyn-based band I interviewed and shot for a music magazine a couple of months ago.  Their summery, shimmery indie-pop magic will get you through the next SAD-riddled months of winter - guaranteed.  This track is one of seven gems on their Summertime! EP and their debut album comes out in March.  They're on pretty much everyone's Next Big Thing list, including the BBC's Sounds Of 2010.  Previous winners include Adele and Little Boots.  (And Mika - ugh.)

Bear Hands - What A Drag

One listen and it's in your head forever.  They've just finished recording their new album and I can't WAIT to hear it.

Billy Joel - My Life

Fact: Billy Joel sounds better in New York.
‘I don't want you to tell me it's time to come home'.  Exactly Billy, exactly.

The Source ft. Candi Staton - You've Got The Love

Of course.

Honourable mentions - Songs that will forever remind me of the last three months:
Friendly Fires - Jump In The Pool
The xx - VCR
Fanfarlo - Comets
The Temper Trap - Love Lost
Just Jack - Embers
Q Lazzarus, William Garvey - Goodbye, Horses
Mumford & Sons - Awake My Soul
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home
The Avett Brothers - I And Love And You

BOOKS
Sloane Crosley - I Was Told There'd Be Cake

A collection of memoir essays written by a New York native.  Easily the funniest book I've ever read.  Apparently, HBO are turning these essays into a TV series and she has a second book out in June 2010.  Yay!


Jamie Oliver - Jamie's America

Apparently, mac n' cheese does not come out of a box. 
The beautiful Americana design and photography in this book look as good as the culturally diverse recipes they illustrate.

Lindsey Kelk - I Heart New York

If you're planning a trip to the Big Apple, this will more than get you in the mood.  Read my interview with Lindsey HERE.

Moleskine - New York City Notebook

It's a guidebook you fill in yourself, which is either genius or lazy on the publisher's part.  Mine is full of little notes I made on previous trips to NYC that I would've otherwise forgotten.  It has a section of street maps and a subway map, which I would have been completely lost without.  Literally.  You also look like you're reading a notebook, rather than opening up a giant map that screams ‘Hi, I'm a tourist!'

TV
Californication

My absolute favourite TV show - it's pure brilliance.  Season 3 began a few months ago in the US - it's still hilarious and features a guest appearance from (one of) my future husband(s), Ed Westwick.

Bored To Death

New from HBO - the people who brought you Sex & The City and Curb Your Enthusiasm.  If you're a fan of Jason Schwartzman and his usual offbeat quirkiness (which I categorically am), you'll love this.  He plays a down-on-his-luck writer who dabbles in being a bumbling private investigator all over Brooklyn and Manhattan - complete with a camel-coloured cliché trenchcoat.  As much as I love Schwartzman, the hilarious Ted Danson is the real star.

Brothers & Sisters

I love it and I don't care who knows it.  It's just so lovely and I want Sally Field to be my mum.  Season 4 is back to its winsome, dramatic and emotional best, and has shamelessly made me blub during pretty much every episode thus far.  And when I say ‘blub', I'm not just talking the odd tear, there have been numerous little sobs.

America's Next Top Model

My guilty, trashy, hilarious pleasure.

Heroes

For me, this show went the way of Lost and I got to a point where I had no idea what was going on, nor cared.  But, apart from a ridiculous Hayden Panettiere lesbian plotline, Season 4 brings it back to the form of old.

*Please note my intentional Gossip Girl omission.  Season 3 is so bad it's not even worth this non-mention.

FILM
I haven't really had time to watch films since I've been here and watching films is one of my favourite things in the world...  I will rectify this in 2010.

The September Issue

The fabulous Grace Coddington upstages the fearsome Anna Wintour at every turn.  Part of me wants to work at Vogue, but then I realise that Anna Wintour would definitely induce a stutter and my wardrobe would be well below par.
Plus it would mean going to work in Times Square everyday - a fate much worse than all of the above.

New York, I Love You

A beautiful homage to a beautiful city.

Sex & The City 2

Ok, so not technically a 2009 movie.  But it's been filming in NY while I've been here and the release of the trailer last week has got me beyond excited.  Roll on May...

SHOPS
A.P.C. Surplus
50% off?  Yes please. It's a bit of a locals' secret and you'll find it in a gorgeous and unassuming building down by the water in Williamsburg.
33 Grand Street, Williamsburg

Marc By Marc Jacobs
Not to be confused with the accessories store a couple of blocks down, which always has a queue outside and you have to fight your way around because it's so pokey and busy (I have nightmares about this place).
The women's store also gets pretty busy, but go on a weekday afternoon and you'll have all the room you need for oohing, aahing, pawing and coo-ing.  Plus they keep your details on file, so they know who you are every time you buy something; it's like catching up with an old friend.  (Note: This will give a bad impression of your spending habits, so don't buy anything in front of someone who may judge you and your excellent taste.)
403 Bleecker Street, West Village

Bloomingdale's
I never thought I would cheat on Selfridges, but Bloomies has stolen my heart.
59th & Lexington Ave, Midtown

Shoe Market
I'm super-fussy about shoes.  I often have the exact style I'm looking for in my head, but I can never ever find them.  Unfortunately for my credit card, Shoe Market always has the ones I want down to a tee.  They also have a kids' section displaying baby Hunter wellies and teeny-tiny brown suede moccasins.  These make me a touch broody, but I'm told there are less pleasant things involved with having a baby than buying shoes for it, and that puts me right off again.
160 North 6th Street, Williamsburg

Whisk
Kitchen utensil loveliness
231 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg

Honourable Mention: Beacon's Closet
It's deeply untrendy of me to say so, but I hate vintage shopping.  It's like going to TK Maxx, only worse because you have to have everything altered.  I just don't have the energy or the patience, and for some reason everything looks like my nan's curtains when it's on me.  I admitted defeat a long time ago. 
But if vintage is your thing, head here - it's a veritable treasure trove of retro-wear.  And nan's curtains.
88 North 11th Street, Williamsburg

BARS
Blackbird Parlour
Where everybody knows your name.  And you're always glad you came.
Oh no, wait, that's Cheers.  But Blackbird has the same qualities, day or night.
197 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg

The Jane Hotel
A weird juxtaposition as it's a cheap hotel (around £60 a night) and yet it has a swanky bar with a Roaring '20s speakeasy-feel, full of well-heeled, glossy Manhattanites.  The Kings Of Leon stay here when they're in town, and if you're looking for a chic and trendy cocktail den, you won't go far wrong at The Jane.
113 Jane Street, Meatpacking District/West Village

The Bowery Hotel
I was very lucky to spend my first night at this A-list spot - it was sumptuously decadent and lovely.  Fighting jetlag with a potent signature cocktail on the patio, while shamelessly eavesdropping on the Olsen twins' conversations and singing Happy Birthday to Elijah Wood's friend makes for a fairly surreal evening. 
The staff are clearly hired from a model agency as one barman was so good looking, I forgot who I was and what I was doing when he asked me for my order.
335 Bowery, East Village

Union Pool
I'm in love with their black and white photo booth...

484 Union Avenue, Williamsburg

Olive Tree Cafe
An unassuming little place above a comedy club in Greenwich Village.  It's a favourite haunt of John Mayer and Mark Ronson when they're in New York.   Very relaxed with good (and relatively cheap) food and booze.
117 MacDougal Street, Greenwich Village

RESTAURANTS
Relish

A good old-fashioned stainless steel diner in Williamsburg, and my absolute favourite brunch spot.  Also highly recommended for milkshakes and a chinwag.
225 Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg

Noodle Studio
The best Thai food I've ever had (outside of Thailand) and they've bloody closed it down.  R.I.P.

Lil' Frankies
Italian home-style cooking in the East Village.  Their meatball rigatoni is so good, you'll probably want to sleep with the chef.
19 1st Avenue, East Village

The Spotted Pig
The best burger I've ever had the pleasure of putting in my mouth.  And they serve PG Tips.
314 West 11th Street, West Village

Barrio Chino
A tiny Lower East Side joint with a great atmosphere and even greater guacamole. Its authentic Mexican menu means you'll be disappointed if you're hankering after a fajita.
253 Broome Street, Lower East Side

Honourable mention: Five Leaves
Heath Ledger's Greenpoint restaurant serves Aussie-style burgers (with beetroot, pineapple and egg - yuk) and their scrambled eggs with sage and oodles of cheddar cheese is a brunch orgasm served in a panino roll.
18 Bedford Avenue, Greenpoint


And that, as they say, is that.  Here's to 2010... Wishing you all the happiest of new years. x
 

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