Travel

56 Ya hala / December 09

Wild SideJenny Hewett skips the New York high street and finds Manhattan’s

East side is a hotspot for designer stores and charming boutiques

Walk on the

Wild SideWalk on theWalk on the

Wild SideWalk on the

Wild Side

December 09 / Ya hala 57

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Once a gritty working class neighbourhood, Manhattan’s lower

east Side (leS) is the city’s new black, alive with vintage shops,

modern boutiques, and quaint bistros and bars brimming with

style mavens and trendy locals. Whether it’s a bargain or

pre-loved designer threads, you’re sure to score.

Lower East Side

58 Ya hala / December 09

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vintage lovers will want to get lost in Narnia for it’s enviable array of covetable designer pieces including blazers from YSl, Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses, Gucci skirts and one-off collectibles. Don’t miss the boots and pumps lining the back wall or the vibrant accessories and impossibly cute stash of tiny handbags from the 30s.

Indulge a serious shoe fetish at this teeny-weeny store selling designer-vintage Marc Jacobs platform wedges, Charlotte ronson and Michael Kors sandals and Manolo Blahnik and YSl pumps for under $100. If you’ve got some vintage designer pieces lying around they also buy, sell and trade pieces from well-known labels like YSl, Balenciaga and Comme des Garçons.

Narnia, 161 Rivington St

Fox and Fawn, 112 Suffolk St

a much-loved leS favourite, this colourful and rather spacious

vintage haunt has a loyal following of customers who come back

time and again for the friendly service and one-off buys.

Seventies mink coats, shawls, 80s tees, handbags, native american-

inspired turquoise jewels and plenty of cowboy boots and court

heels are just some of the fabulous finds here.

BEST VINTAGEMarmalade Vintage, 172 Ludlow St,

www.marmaladevintage.com

Make a stop at this all-american chain known worldwide for its on trend basics, and stock up on comfy separates for both him and her. You'll find soft grey marle singlets, hoodies, v-neck tees, bodysuits, jumpsuits and leggings in every colour of the rainbow.

CHAIN STORE CHICAmerican Apparel, 183 E. Houston St (between Allen and Orchard)

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Co-owned by sisters Sonia and Cindy, this boudoir-style boutique is all things pretty with candy-stiped walls and an ultra girlie vibe, while the clothes are modern and edgy. They stock unique pieces by known

but hard-to-find designers such as Sonia by Sonia rykiel, Paul & Joe Sister, rN Convertibles, Denim & Thread and lover. Check out the girls’ personal label Soni & Cindy while you’re there.

TOP BOUTIQUESSuite Orchard, 145A Orchard St, www.suiteorchard.com

This cosy boutique stocks emerging designers from Korea, Japan and China with a few local New Yorkers thrown in the mix. You’ll find girlie dresses with intricate detailing, bright colours and loud prints. Check out their lovable collection of funky accessories like massive statement rings spanning three fingers, gold leaf earrings and chains draped with colourful stones and gold trinkets.

Lili’s Wink, 132 Ludlow StThere are two types of people in this world – bag girls and shoe girls – and those proclaiming the former should make their way to Intrigue. They stock a collection of leather handbags and accessories from a range of european and local designers as well as fun, feminine dresses. You’ll get Italian leather bags embellished with buckles and studs, fold-over clutches, patent-leather purses and shoulder bags, with nothing over the $400 mark.

Intrigue, 151 Ludlow St, www.shopintrigue.com

looking for cutting edge shoes at

low-prices? You won’t find Marc Jacobs

mousy ballet flats or Miu Miu ankle

boots here, but what you will find is

similar styles at affordable prices – boots

are rarely priced over $180 and pumps

around $80. Hot right now are the

studded caged heels, strapped biker ankle

boots with buckle detailing and ann

Demeulemeester-style open toe lace-ups.

SHOE STOPLa Dolce Vita,

www.shopdolcevita.com 149 Ludlow St,

60 Ya hala / December 09

The lower east Side’s claim to fame is Katz’s, New York City’s oldest deli and location of that infamous scene in When Harry Met Sally. Interacting with the countermen is one the city’s great experiences, so order your choice of hand-carved meat on rye with a side of pickles and get stuck into the world’s biggest sandwich while you check out the photos of Katz’s famous visitors.

every night scenesters descend on this rustic-style bar and bistro to check out the local live music talent and mingle with their fellow rock and rollers. It holds an unusual history, the bar opened in 2002 in what was an old piano shop and the owners never bothered changing the sign.

SINK YOUR TEETH INTO…Katz’s Delicatessen, 205 E. Houston St, www.katzdeli.com

Pianos, 158 Ludlow St, www.pianosnyc.com

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an unpretentious vintage thrift store jam-packed with good quality second hand leather boots for men and women in a range of sizes and colours, that won’t break the budget. Don't expect to fork out more than $50 for a pair. They also have a large collection of old tees like baseball and basketball team shirts and a rack dedicated purely to leather jackets in different styles.

COOL BUYS FOR HIMVillage Style, 111 E. 7th St,www.villagestyleny.com

visit this overflowing antique store for its beautiful collection of delicate vintage timepieces including chain and pocket watches, home furnishings and trinkets like pipes, cigarette cases, earrings and the largest button collection in Manhattan. Take some time to potter around this store and you'll walk away with something special. Prices are comparatively high but the stock is rare and good quality, and the owners will bargain.

www.archangelantiquesnyc.comArchangel, 334 E. 9th St,

This vibrant neighbourhood

bordering the leS is a haven

for artists, musicians, students

and writers, so it’s only natural

it holds some of the most

quirky vintage and antique

stores in the city. Its bohemian

vibe draws young avant-garde

types who pour out of punk-

rock bars, sip on wheatgrass

at hole-in-the-wall cafés and

talk shop at the diverse range

of ethnic eateries. expect great

deals and affordable prices.

EastVillage

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December 09 / Ya hala 61

Specialising in vintage eyewear, this ever-popular

store has a large selection of quirky frames – their

motto, ‘if you have to wear them, make it fun’.

They sell glasses and spectacles from the mid 1800s

to the mid 1900s, as well as eccentric pairs from

the 70s and 80s. Come here to take a look at the

interesting display cases (they carry the designer

who made specs for George Washington) and check

out the vintage clothing of scarfs, bowties, and

men’s suspender belts.

EYE CANDYFabulous Fanny’s, 335 E. 9th St,

www.store.fabulousfannys.com

For a quick, fresh lunch with an asian flavour stop by this tiny vietnamese eatery to try the best $5 banh mi (vietnamese sandwich) in town. Banh mi is a gourmet vietnamese-infused French baguette made with terine, pâté, fresh herbs, pickled daikon and cilantro. Choose from fillings of barbecue chicken, curry beef or catfish. The vermicelli with barbecue chicken, herbs and peanuts is also a winner. leS fans of this tasty delight will have something to smile about soon, with plans to open an outlet at 154 Orchard St.

This home-style Italian restaurant with open-air kitchen, lots of low lighting, rustic wood tables and old glass chandeliers does quality fare at a reasonable price. The roasted beet salad with arugula, gorgonzola shavings and a drizzle of vinaigrette is fresh and crunchy. Polpettini is the owner’s claim to fame and the tiny veal meatballs at this fun-loving joint are cooked in a meat gravy reduction, infused with flavour, warm and tender. Other favourites are the veal Milanese and strozzapreti marinara with melting ricotta di pecora.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE…Baoguette Café, 37 Saint Marks Place, Supper, 156 E. 2nd St,www.baoguettecafe.com www.supperrestaurant.com

This little gem in Manhattan’s east village is stacked with good quality vintage costume jewellery from the 80s including rhinestone jewels, drop earrings, bedazzled hairpins, pearls and necklaces. Browse through the clothes and shoe racks to see if something catches the eye, but it’s the jewellery and handbags that’ll keep you entertained for hours.

BEST VINTAGE ACCESSORIESBeauty Crisis, 97 E. 7th St,www.beautycrisis.com

Getting there: Emirates flies direct to NYC twice daily, visit www.emirates.com.