Here's what I did in NYC

A few things worth getting into on your next visit.

A little housekeeping

Quick note… as you know, I’ve worked with Db (a luggage brand I’ve talked about, and one that I love) in the past.

I basically only use these bags for all my travel.

I’ve enjoyed building a relationship with their team (all great people), and they’re really interested in learning how people in the Sprezza community travel, what bags they use, all that good stuff.

So, they made a quick 3-minute survey, and if you fill it out, you’ll be entered to win a $100 gift card as a thank-you.

Easy win if you’ve got a few minutes to help them out.

I’m not being paid for this; just helping the team out!

Here’s the survey link

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What I saw in NYC last week

I tend to be back in NYC for work every few months (roughly) at this rate. Even though home base is Amsterdam these days, it’s fun getting to spend time in the city that helped raise me (where I went to college), afforded me the opportunities that have changed my life (work), and is a place where I have countless relationships.

I’m grateful to be back in a couple of weeks, but today I wanted to flag some spots you may or may not have visited on my trip last week.

Before we dive in, read through this and LMK what I should hit next time I visit! Always looking to add good spots to my list.

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Is J.Crew men’s cooking again?

J.Crew is taking me back to the catalog days with this in-store collection. I hadn’t been to the men’s shop on Bond Street in NYC since it opened (wild, I know), so I popped in one afternoon when I had a few minutes and was honestly low key impressed with how good their latest stuff looks.

So here are a few pieces I loved (styling, fabrics, styles, colors, etc).

Anyone bought stuff from J.Crew recently? What did you think? How do you like it?

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Somewhere to eat

My brother introduced me to this Chinese spot called Phoenix Palace on Bowery Street and it’s absolutely phenomenal. The owners are typically there, and they’re both incredibly hospitable. 10/10 would recommend.

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Products I love

My friend Victor recently launched his own brand, Vito’s, and his mom makes these bangin’ knit caps with little hearts.

He delivered one to me while I was in town last week, and it’s so good in person. I’m wearing it while I type this. If you have a big a$$ head (like me), these types of knit caps look so much better than ones that you fold over your head.

Stocked up on more olive oil courtesy of the HOMIE, Theo, from Psyche Olive Oil. Yes, he drizzles olive oil from these… pouches. And it’s genius. Truly one of Greece’s finest, and he also relocated back to the city. So keep tabs on more pop-ups and events he does in NYC soon.

Got to visit C’H’C’M’ and these brown military shoes from Yoko Sakamoto are phenomenal. A little cartoonish, but I love the rounded silhouette and it was really good to visit C’H’C’M’ in person.

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A few places I love downtown

A friend of mine introduced me to Silence Please, an offshoot of speaker design studio Silence Please (how original!), which created a showroom for its bespoke speakers, and paired it with a tea room, record store, and listening space above Bowery Street.

I love it because it feels like a big living room where you can just unwind and let the supreme sound wash over you.

I also discovered Lore, a new bathhouse concept on Broadway that brings the best of Scandinavian sauna culture to a membership club for the New York yuppies. And I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

And last, I visited Gem Home, a newly opened home goods store and café, run by chef Flynn McGarry. He’s got a nice curation of foods, sundries, knick-knacks, and home-focused products in a tidy space over on Mott Street.

They also serve breakfast foods and pastries, along with filter coffee, in true European fashion. Was still solid.